Properties and spot welding performance of copper composite reinforced with recycled tungsten carbide

In this work, properties and spot welding performance of copper matrix composite electrode reinforced with 15 vol% tungsten carbide particulate from inexpensive raw material were investigated. Mixture of copper and recycled tungsten carbide was milled, compacted, sintered and powder forged at different pressures. Higher forging pressure resulted in higher density and electrical conductivity as it accelerates the flow of copper matrix leading to porosity elimination and improves metal-metal contact within the copper matrix by reducing porosity and oxide film. Welding operation showed that composite electrodes with higher density, electrical conductivity and hardness forms larger and stronger spot weld.