Microstructure and Hardness of Copper Powders Consolidated by Plasma Pressure Compaction

摘要

Bulk fine-grained copper samples were prepared by consolidating copper powders using the technique of plasma pressure compaction (P~2C). The specimens were obtained by consolidating the powder particles under conditions of electrical pulse and no-electrical pulse and at two different temperatures. Results reveal that pulsing of the powders prior to consolidation led to higher microhardness values than the samples that were obtained by consolidating the powder particles under no-plus. Both nanohardness and microhardness increased with an increase in the temperature of consolidation. Samples consolidated at the higher temperature revealed evidence of grain coarsening. The influence of processing. Variables on microstructure development and hardness is presented and discussed.