Effect of Y precursors on the synthesis of Cu-Y2O3 by mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering.

This work prepared the Cu-Y 2 O 3 alloy through mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. Based on the in-situ reaction principle, Y salts were used as a precursor of Y 2 O 3 dispersoid instead of pure Y powder, and the influence of different Y salts on the microstructure, mechanical, and physical properties of the copper matrix was researched. The results indicate that Y salts can effectively prevent the cold welding effect of pure Y metal powder, thereby improving the homogeneity and refinement effect of alloying. Among different Y salts samples, Y(NO 3) 3 ·6H 2 O and Y 2 (SO 4) 3 ·8H 2 O may cause varying degrees of contamination to the copper matrix, affecting the material properties. In comparison, Y 2 (CO 3) 3 has the advantage of low decomposition temperature and the decomposition product CO 2 does not react with the copper matrix. It successfully refined the average particle size of Y 2 O 3 from 8.8 ± 3.7 nm to 5.5 ± 2.8 nm, increased the number density from 2.37 × 1021/m3 to 7.46 × 1021/m3, and obtained a tensile strength of 291 MPa and an elongation of 19.8 % at room temperature, with a thermal conductivity of 322 W/(m K) at 400 °C for the Cu-Y 2 O 3 alloy. This validates the feasibility of combining Y salts with mechanical alloying. The preparation of high-strength, high-conductivity Cu alloys holds significant reference value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]