ItemArticle

Impact of hot rolling on the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of copper-based metal matrix composites reinforced with titanium carbide

Title
Impact of hot rolling on the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of copper-based metal matrix composites reinforced with titanium carbide
Creator
Harish, S.; Keshavamurthy, R.; N, Kiran Kumar; G L, Arun Kumar; Ramana, V. Venkata; K S, Anil Kumar; Prasad, C. Durga; S B, Manjunath; Acharya, Subash
Description
Copper-based metal matrix composites reinforced with varying weight percentages (0, 2, 5, 7, and 10 wt%) of powdered titanium carbide (TiC) particles were successfully fabricated using stir casting, followed by hot rolling as a secondary processing route to enhance their mechanical performance. The microstructural evolution, phase characteristics, and mechanical behaviour of both as-cast and hot-rolled composites were systematically studied. Microstructural examination revealed a dendritic grain structure with non-uniform grain size distribution in as-cast composites, whereas hot-rolled composites exhibited a refined lath-shaped grain structure with uniform TiC particle distribution, attributed to the plastic deformation induced during rolling. XRD analysis confirmed the presence of high-intensity copper matrix peaks in hot-rolled composites and relatively stronger TiC peaks in as-cast composites due to the fragmentation of coarse reinforcement particles during rolling. Mechanical testing demonstrated that hot rolling significantly enhanced both hardness and tensile strength compared to the as-cast condition. The Brinell hardness of the hot-rolled Cu-10 wt% TiC composite reached 59.54 BHN, representing a 42.1% improvement over as-cast pure copper (41.9 BHN). Similarly, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the hot-rolled Cu-10 wt% TiC composite achieved 182.5 MPa, corresponding to a 50.3% improvement over as-cast pure copper (121.4 MPa). However, ductility decreased progressively with increasing TiC content and hot rolling, from 71.56% in as-cast pure copper to 48.69% in hot-rolled Cu-10 wt% TiC, owing to strain hardening effects and grain boundary restriction by TiC particles. The optimal combined strength-ductility balance, assessed through the strain hardening parameter (UTS % elongation), was achieved at 5 wt% TiC reinforcement in both as-cast and hot-rolled conditions. Fractographic analysis revealed a progressive transition from ductile dimple fracture to mixed-mode and predominantly brittle fracture with increasing TiC content, consistent with the observed mechanical trends. 2026 The Authors.
Source
Journal of Alloys and Metallurgical Systems;Volume;14;Issue;;Article No.;100252;
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Subject
Copper-based TiC composites; Hot rolling; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Stir casting
Coverage
Harish S., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cambridge Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Keshavamurthy R., Department of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering, Christ University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560074, India; N K.K., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vemana Institute of Technology, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; G L A.K., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, NITTE (Deemed to be University), Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Ramana V.V., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ballari Institute of Technology & Management, Karnataka, Ballari, India; K S A.K., Department of Mechanical Engineering, JSS Academy of Technical Education, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Prasad C.D., Department of Mechanical Engineering, RV Institute of Technology and Management, Karnataka, Bengaluru, 560076, India; S B M., Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Acharya S., Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka, Manipal, 576104, India
Rights
All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Relation
ISSN: 29499178;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Harish, S.; Keshavamurthy, R.; N, Kiran Kumar; G L, Arun Kumar; Ramana, V. Venkata; K S, Anil Kumar; Prasad, C. Durga; S B, Manjunath; Acharya, Subash, “Impact of hot rolling on the mechanical characteristics and microstructure of copper-based metal matrix composites reinforced with titanium carbide,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22324.

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