Effects of Cu on Microstructures, Mechanical, and Magnetic Properties of Fe–Ni–P Alloys Fabricated by Liquid Phase Sintering

The Fe–Ni–P–Cu alloys with different copper content (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt%) are fabricated by liquid phase sintering (LPS) at 950 °C. The nano-Cu powder is mechanically mixed for 90 min with Fe–Ni–P composite powder using the ethanol as the medium. The microstructure, microhardness and compressive properties of Fe–Ni–P–Cu alloys are investigated. The results indicate that the copper is beneficial to improve the mechanical properties of sintered specimens. The sample contains a small amount of γ-(Fe, Ni) phase when the copper content is 1 wt%, which results in its the highest compressive yield strength (948.1 MPa). The highest microhardness of 371 HV is accessible in Fe–Ni–P–Cu alloy with 2 wt% Cu. The fracture surface analysis indicates that sintered specimens with Cu addition exhibit a typical intergranular mode.