Compression Properties and Electrical Conductivity of In-Situ 20 vol.% Nano-Sized TiC/Cu Composites with Different Particle Size and Morphology.

The compression properties and electrical conductivity of in-situ 20 vol.% nano-sized TiC/Cu composites fabricated via combustion synthesis and hot press in Cu-Ti-CNTs system at various particles size and morphology were investigated. Cubic-TiC/Cu composite had higher ultimate compression strength (σ), yield strength (σ), and electric conductivity, compared with those of spherical-TiC/Cu composite. The σ, σ, and electrical conductivity of cubic-TiC/Cu composite increased by 4.37%, 20.7%, and 17.8% compared with those of spherical-TiC/Cu composite (526 MPa, 183 MPa, and 55.6% International Annealed Copper Standard, IACS). Spherical-TiC/Cu composite with average particle size of ~94 nm exhibited higher ultimate compression strength, yield strength, and electrical conductivity compared with those of spherical-TiC/Cu composite with 46 nm in size. The σ, σ, and electrical conductivity of spherical-TiC/Cu composite with average size of ~94 nm in size increased by 17.8%, 33.9%, and 62.5% compared with those of spherical-TiC/Cu composite (417 MPa, 121 MPa, and 40.3% IACS) with particle size of 49 nm, respectively. Cubic-shaped TiC particles with sharp corners and edges led to stress/strain localization, which enhanced the compression strength of the composites. The agglomeration of spherical-TiC particles with small size led to the compression strength reduction of the composites.