Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Fly Ash Cenospheres Reinforced Copper Composites Produced by Powder Metallurgy Route

Fly ash cenospheres (FCs) was used as reinforcing filler in copper (Cu) matrix to develop lightweight metal matrix composites (FCs-Cu MMCs). FCs/Cu MMCs were successfully synthesized using powder metallurgy route. Experiments were conducted with various sintering temperatures (850C, 900C and 950C) fora holding time of 30 min, 60 min, and 90 min respectively. The influence of varying sintering temperature and holding time on microstructure, density, hardness and compression strength were measured according to ASTM standards. The results clearly demonstrated that the sintering parameters (temperature and holding time) influenced the mechanical properties. The results reveal that addition of FCs into Cu matrix led to the substantial improvement to the mechanical properties of the composites