Manufacture of high-dispersed W-Cu composite powder by mechano-thermal process

In order to improve the process of co-reduction of oxide powder, a new mechano-thermal process was designed to produce high-dispersed W-Cu composite powder by high temperature oxidation, short time high-energy milling and reduction at lower temperature. The particle size, oxygen content and their sintering abilities of W-Cu composite powder in different conditions were analyzed. The results show that after a quick milling of the oxide powder for about 3-10 h, the reduction temperature of the W-Cu oxide powder can be lowered to about 650°C from 700-750°C owning to the lowering of particle size of the oxide powder. The average particle size of W-Cu powder after reduction at 650°C is about 0.5 μm smaller than that reduced at 750°C. After sintering at 1200°C for 1 h in hydrogen atmosphere, the relative density and thermal conductivity of final products (W-20Cu) can attain 99.5% and 210 W·m^-1·K^-1 respectively.