Abstract: The paper presents the results of research on the production and application of sintered
copper matrix composites reinforced with carbon steel and T15 HSS steel particles. The starting
materials for obtaining the sintered composites were commercial powders of copper, carbon steel and
T15 HSS steel. Experiments were carried out on specimens containing 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10% of steel
particles by weight. Finished powder mixtures containing appropriate quantities of steel were
subjected to single pressing with a hydraulic press at a compaction pressure of 624 MPa. Obtained
samples were subjected to a sintering process in a sillit tubular furnace at 900 °C in an atmosphere of
dissociated ammonia. The sintering time was 2 h. After the sintering process, the samples were
cooled in a cooler mounted in the furnace. The obtained sinters were subjected to hardness, density,
electrical conductivity, and abrasion resistance measurements. Observations of the microstructure of
metallographic specimens made from the sintered compacts were also performed using an optical
microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). After the abrasion resistance tests, the
geometric structure of the surface was observed. The hardness increased in comparison with a
sample made of pure copper, whereas the density and electrical conductivity decreased. The highest
hardness was obtained for the composite containing 10% of T15 high speed steel particles which
amounted 61 HB. This is due to presence of carbides in the steel particles. The highest electrical
conductivity was obtained for the composite containing 2.5% of T15 high speed steel which
amounted 40 MS/m (68% of solid copper conductivity). Tribological tests have shown that the
introduction of high-speed steel particles increases the abrasion resistance of composites.
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