Powder Injection Moulding of Tungsten Based Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

Due to their physical, thermal and electrical properties, tungsten copper metal matrix composites (MMCs) have a wide variety of applications, especially in the fields of high current electrodes and thermal management.This study explored methods and conditions that would make Powder Injection Moulding suitable as a manufacturing precursor in producing MMCs with the aim of developing a more compact and robust processing method which could produce samples with high hardness, conductivity and percentage copper while retaining microstructural homogeneity and zero porosity. Variables such as the atmosphere, sintering/infiltration temperatures, sintering/infiltration holding times and feedstock compositions were attempted and their resulting products characterized.Over moulding, infiltration joining, microwave sintering and powder pressing of yttria doped feedstocks were also attempted to further understand the mechanisms and processes involved. With the success of processing samples using tungsten and copper, the method was translated to the processing of tungsten silver MMCs.