Structural and Functional Properties of Electrodeposited Copper Metal Matrix Composite Coating with Inclusions of WC
Keywords:
copper, tungsten carbide, hardness, roughness, wear resistance, wetting ability.Abstract
The matrix durability properties were improved when micrometer-sized tungsten carbide (WC) particles were
incorporated into an electroplated copper matrix. The WC particles have a hardening effect on the metal matrix and its
hardness increases from 160 kgf.mm–2 of pure copper coating to 185 kgf.mm–2. The wear resistance of dispersionhardened
Cu-WC composite coating is slightly higher than that of pure copper. The inclusions of tungsten carbide
particles promoted the formation of a smooth crystalline structure of copper matrix. The surface formed in the presence
of WC micro particles has lower Ra parameters of the standard roughness and a smoother profile than those of a pure
copper coating. It has been found that the wetting ability of Cu-WC composite coating surface is the same as that of pure
copper.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
The copyrights for articles in this journal are retained by the author(s), with first publication rights granted to the journal. By virtue of their appearance in this open-access journal, articles are free to use with proper attribution in educational and other non-commercial settings.