FIBER ORIENTATION IN METAL INJECTION MOLDED SHORT CARBON FIBER REINFORCED COPPER MATRIX COMPOSITE

Short carbon fiber (CF) reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) are a favorable
candidate for aerospace and electronics industries. Improving short fiber orientation
can significantly enhance physical and mechanical properties of these MMCs.
Powder Injection molding (PIM) has the potential to control orientation of short
fibers in MMCs. This research was focused to develop carbon fiber reinforced copper
composite feedstocks with three component binder system using a z-blade mixer.
Fluw properties of copper and composite feedstocks were determined using a
capillary rheometer. A specially designed mold was used to enhance fiber orientation
in molded samples. Binder was removed by solvent and thermal techniques at 60°C
and 500°C respectively. Debound test samples of copper and copper/CF composites
were sintered at 1050°C for 3 hours for densification.