Investigation of the Dwelling Time and Compaction Pressure Effect on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of the Cu-Sn Composite

Powder metallurgy has become a compatible alternative method in term of manufacturing complex component, such as frangible bullet. A bullet with frangible properties can be manufactured by using copper-based metal matrix composite with tin as the reinforce. During compaction process, the applied load and dwelling time are considered as substantial factor which affect the final product. Therefore, the aim of the present work study is to observe the pressure and the holding time during the compacting process (dwelling time) which has an impact on the mechanical properties of the CuSn composite product. The green component or pressed product is tested with various compaction pressure variables, namely 500, 600, and 700 MPa with 0, 5, 15, 30, 45 minutes dwelling time, respectively. The sintering process is performed at 260o C for 30 minutes in the horizontal furnace. The result shows that the surface contact area was increased along with the compaction load upsurge which led to low porosity green compact. The 700 MPa compaction pressure with 15 minutes dwelling time has the optimum density, hardness, and compressive strength, which had 8,454 gr/cm3, 87 HRF and 349.74 MPa in value. The compacting product has been tested on Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and showed that 700 MPa compaction pressure had the best powder densification process.