Metal-metal composites obtained in-situ through severe plastic deformation

Aim of project
The scientific aim of the project is to develop metalmetal composite materials using the Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) method. The project assumes to obtain in-situ a strengthened material with a fibre composite structure.

It assumes that severe plastic deformations will lead to, by proper selection of process parameters, obtaining oriented or banded structures with increased strength properties. The project includes obtaining the Cu-W and Cu-Nb composites through severe plastic deformation of sintered powders ( DMMCs — deformation processed metal-metal composites).

It includes performing severe deformation of the obtained sintered materials by Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) and by Hydroextrusion (HE). The use of both these methods allows to obtain in-situ fi bre composites with various component distribution (warp and reinforcement phase). The SPD methods are especially useful here because the reinforcement phase demonstrates limited plasticity comparing to the warp.

Within the project it is expected to perform a detailed analysis of processes occurring during the deformation of materials under high pressure. The research will also consider the entry condition of the tested materials, like size and geometry of the powders used, amount of the reinforcement phase, as well as the method and parameters of severe plastic deformation, like temperature and deformation speed.

The project assumes that the obtained composites will demonstrate increased resistance to erosive wear, good electrical conductivity, and increased strength parameters. Materials consisting of a copper warp reinforced in-situ by high-strength metals of high melting point, such as tungsten or niobium, can be the entry materials for high-temperature or electro-technical applications.

Expected results
The expected result of the research performed is to describe the phenomena that occur during severe plastic deformation of biphase sintered materials carried out in order to obtain in-situ high-strength composites (DMMCs) demonstrating the assumed physical properties and specific microstructure. This will allow to develop a new DMMCs composite production method and to control the properties of the composites by their microstructure. Based on the results it will be possible to improve the production technology of such materials and to develop grounds for increasing erosive wear resistance of high-strength and high electrical conductivity materials. The obtained results are expected to have high cognitive value and potentially application value, which should result in publications in national and foreign magazines.