Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation

Öz

Metal matrix composites are employed in manufacturing applications such
as cutting disks and tips. Ni-Ti metal matrix composites, that is used as an aerospace
alloy, have been fabricated by tube furnace sintering at various temperatures
with a reinforcing agent of WC. A mixture of %50Ni, %46.66WC and %3.33Ti
powders was sintered in a tube furnace under Ar shroud and electroless plating
technique was employed to deposit a uniform layer of Ni. One of the benefits
that electroless plating provides is that it allows increased density by closer
surface contact. A temperature range of 1000-1400C was used to sinter powders,
which resulted in a composite consisting of a ceramic phase, WC in a metal
matrix of WCNi, NiTi. Several characterization techniques have been used to
reveal the mechanical and physical properties of specimens, such as X-Ray
diffraction, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), density and hardness
measurements. Experimental results suggest that the highest sintering
temperature resulted in a hardness of 429.1HV at 1400C. Electroless plating of
%50Ni, %46.66WC and 3.33Ti powders provided a better bonding than conventional
techniques and is a promising technique to produce ceramic reinforced NiWCTi composites.