Effects of composite oxide addition on the microstructure and properties of ODS copper

Oxide dispersion strengthened copper-based material is widely used in electrical contact materials due to its excellent mechanical and electrical properties. However, researchers have found that large Y ₂O ₃ particles have poor interfacial bonding with the copper matrix in the study of oxide dispersion strengthened copper. In this work, Y ₄Zr ₃O ₁₂ nanoparticles were successfully prepared through solid–liquid doping and directly added into oxide dispersion-strengthened copper by mechanical alloying. A scanning electron microscope, a transmission electron microscope, an X-ray diffractometer, and electrical and mechanical tests were used to characterize the microstructure and performance of composite materials. The interfaces between the Y ₂O ₃/Y ₄Zr ₃O ₁₂ nanoparticles and Cu were systematically studied. The interface bonding between Y ₄Zr ₃O ₁₂ and Cu was better than that of Y ₂O ₃ and Cu. The effect of different Y ₄Zr ₃O ₁₂ contents (1, 3, and 5 wt%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was studied. Results showed that the Cu-3 wt% Y ₄Zr ₃O ₁₂ composites exhibited the best comprehensive properties. The Vickers hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, maximum engineering strain, and electrical conductivity of the Cu-3 wt% Y ₄Zr ₃O ₁₂ composites were 132HV, 203.5 MPa, 284.7 MPa, 15.8 %, and 90.3 % International Annealed Copper Standard, respectively.