Abstract

The copper alloys are preferred for their superior mechanical properties combined with high electrical conductivity for contact material applications. These properties should be a very good combination of high mechanical strength and enough electrical conduction properties as well as high thermal conductivity. To establish the electrical and thermal conductivity, the low resistive materials such as copper and their alloys to be chosen is a must. Copper can be alloyed with Cr and Zr in very low
amounts down to 1 wt% and 0.15 wt%, respectively. These amounts can be found from phase diagrams of interest. The planetary ball milling was chosen as being a unique technique for powder processing to obtain mechanochemical activation and mixing of powders prior to sintering. The ball milling jar was ZrO2 and ball to powder ratio was varied as 1:1, 5:1, and 10:1. The ball milling rotation was ranged from 400 and 500 rpm for different durations to be investigated. The SEM photos showed the Cr and
Zr penetration onto Cu powders transformed to flakes of different sizes. The elemental composition maps showed the better and finer distribution of alloying elements at 500 rpm than 400 rpm.