Fabrication of bulk Al2O3 dispersed ultrafine-grained Cu matrix composite by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis casting route

Abstract Bulk Al 2 O 3 dispersed ultrafine-grained (UFG) Cu matrix composite has been fabricated by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) casting route. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the as-fabricated materials have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and microhardness measurements and compression tests, respectively. The results show that the as-fabricated material has small amount of entrapped Al 2 O 3 particles in uniform microstructure Cu having a grain size ranging from 200–500 nm with an elevated compressive yield stress (298 MPa) and an improved microhardness value (1.06 GPa). The possible strengthening mechanism of the product has been discussed.