Microstructure and properties of Ag–Ti<sub>3</sub>SiC<sub>2</sub> contact materials prepared by pressureless sintering

Min Zhang; Wu-bian Tian; Pei-gen Zhang; Jian-xiang Ding; Ya-mei Zhang; Zheng-ming Sun

doi:10.1007/s12613-018-1629-0

Volume 25 Issue 7

Jul. 2018

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2018 > 25(7): 810-816

Min Zhang, Wu-bian Tian, Pei-gen Zhang, Jian-xiang Ding, Ya-mei Zhang, and Zheng-ming Sun, Microstructure and properties of Ag–Ti₃SiC₂ contact materials prepared by pressureless sintering, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 25(2018), No. 7, pp. 810-816. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1629-0

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Min Zhang, Wu-bian Tian, Pei-gen Zhang, Jian-xiang Ding, Ya-mei Zhang, and Zheng-ming Sun, Microstructure and properties of Ag–Ti3SiC2 contact materials prepared by pressureless sintering, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 25(2018), No. 7, pp. 810-816. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1629-0

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Research Article

Microstructure and properties of Ag–Ti₃SiC₂ contact materials prepared by pressureless sintering

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Corresponding authors:
Wu-bian Tian E-mail: wbtian@seu.edu.cn

Zheng-ming Sun E-mail: zmsun@seu.edu.cn
Received: 5 January 2018; Revised: 16 March 2018; Accepted: 20 March 2018

Abstract

Abstract

Ti₃SiC₂-reinforced Ag-matrix composites are expected to serve as electrical contacts. In this study, the wettability of Ag on a Ti₃SiC₂ substrate was measured by the sessile drop method. The Ag–Ti₃SiC₂ composites were prepared from Ag and Ti₃SiC₂ powder mixtures by pressureless sintering. The effects of compacting pressure (100–800 MPa), sintering temperature (850–950℃), and soaking time (0.5–2 h) on the microstructure and properties of the Ag–Ti₃SiC₂ composites were investigated. The experimental results indicated that Ti₃SiC₂ particulates were uniformly distributed in the Ag matrix, without reactions at the interfaces between the two phases. The prepared Ag–10wt%Ti₃SiC₂ had a relative density of 95% and an electrical resistivity of 2.76×10^-3 mΩ·cm when compacted at 800 MPa and sintered at 950℃ for 1 h. The incorporation of Ti₃SiC₂ into Ag was found to improve its hardness without substantially compromising its electrical conductivity; this behavior was attributed to the combination of ceramic and metallic properties of the Ti₃SiC₂ reinforcement, suggesting its potential application in electrical contacts.
- MAX phase;
- Ag-Ti₃SiC₂;
- contact materials;
- wettability;
- pressureless sintering

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