In this work, synthesis of copper matrix composite powder reinforced by in situ niobium carbide particle was
prepared by mechanical alloying of elemental powder and subsequent heat treatment. Elemental powders of Cu-Nb-C
correspond to Cu-40wt%Nb-1O%wtC composition was milled for 54 hours at room temperature in a planetary ball mill.
The effect of heat treatment temperature on the formation of niobium carbide was analyzed. Characterization by X-ray
diffraction was done on the milled powder and heat-treated powder in order to investigate NbC formation. Results
indicate that NbC began to precipitate after mechanical alloying for about 54h with heat treatment temperature of 900°C
and lOOO°C.
Keywords: X-ray diffraction, in situ composite, mechanical alloying, copper matrix compositeH. Zuhailawati\ R.Othmanl, D.L. Buil, M. Umemoto2
ISchool of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
2Department of Production Systems Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan
prepared by mechanical alloying of elemental powder and subsequent heat treatment. Elemental powders of Cu-Nb-C
correspond to Cu-40wt%Nb-1O%wtC composition was milled for 54 hours at room temperature in a planetary ball mill.
The effect of heat treatment temperature on the formation of niobium carbide was analyzed. Characterization by X-ray
diffraction was done on the milled powder and heat-treated powder in order to investigate NbC formation. Results
indicate that NbC began to precipitate after mechanical alloying for about 54h with heat treatment temperature of 900°C
and lOOO°C.
Keywords: X-ray diffraction, in situ composite, mechanical alloying, copper matrix compositeH. Zuhailawati\ R.Othmanl, D.L. Buil, M. Umemoto2
ISchool of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia,
14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
2Department of Production Systems Engineering, Toyohashi University of Technology, Japan
