Fabrication of W-Cu/Lu₂O₃ Composites with High Strength and Electrical Conductivity Prepared by Electroless Plating and Powder Metallurgy

Abstract:

W–Cu (0, 0.25, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 wt.%)/Lu₂O₃ composite materials were prepared through electroless plating with simplified pretreatment method and powder metallurgy. The phases and morphologies of the W–Cu/Lu₂O₃ composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The relative density, microhardness, electrical conductivity, and bending strength of the sintered samples were examined. The experimental results show that W–Cu composites with uniform structures can be obtained with pretreated W using the simplified method, followed by electroless Cu plating. The microstructure and properties of the composites were significantly affected by the addition of Lu₂O₃ nanoparticles, resulting in high electrical conductivity and strength. The electrical conductivity of W–Cu/1.5 wt.% Lu₂O₃ composites reached 63.3%, which is higher than the national standard value of 50.71%. The bending strength of W–Cu/1.5 wt. % Lu₂O₃ reached 1306.7 MPa, which is 65.41% higher than the national standard. These results may be attributed to the uniform distribution of refined particles with Lu₂O₃ content increased to 1.5 wt. %.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 849)
• Pages: 825-830
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.849.825
• Online since: March 2016
• Authors: Ze Long Lu, Lai Ma Luo, Jun Zhang, Yong Qing Qin, Xin Min Huang, Guang Nan Luo, Xiao Yong Zhu, Xiang Zan, Ji Gui Cheng, Yu Cheng Wu
• Keywords: Electroless Plating, High Electric Conductivity, High Strength, W–Cu/Lu₂O₃ Composites

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