Effect of separate and combined milling of Cu and TiB2 powders on the electrical and mechanical properties of Cu-TiB2 composites

The present work compares the properties of the Cu-TiB2 composites prepared by varying the mechanical milling conditions. The Cu-TiB2 composites were processed using Cu-TiB2 powders combined milling, a powder mixture consisting of separately milled Cu & TiB2 and a powder mixture prepared by the combination of separate and combined milling. The hardness and flexural strength of the combined milled powders were found to be maximum, despite of their lower sintered density. The separately milled powders achieved excellent electrical properties combined with moderate hardness and flexural strength. The properties of composites processed using the combination of separate and combined milling laid in between the two conditions of combined and separate milling.