Fabrication and characterization of novel layered materials produced by electroless plating and hot pressing

In this study, two types of three-layer functional graded materials (FGMs) were produced by hot pressing method. For the fabrication of the FGMs, electroless silver coated copper powders with flake-like morphology were used in the first layer on the spherical copper core layer. For the fabrication of Cu–Ag–Cr samples, surface of the electroless silver coated copper powders was coated with chrome. On the other hand, for synthesize of Cu–Ag–Ni compacts, the surface of the electroless silver coated copper powders was coated with nickel. The hardness and electrical conductivity of the Cu core and Cu–Ag samples were approximately 82 HB, 95% IACS and 100 HB, 100% IACS, respectively. The hardness and electrical conductivity of the Ni layer in the Cu–Ag–Ni samples were 125 HB and 76% IACS, while that of Cr layer had 115 HB and 75% IACS in the Cu–Ag–Cr compacts. It was determined that the materials fabricated by using layered metallic powders provide both high conductivity and good oxidation resistance. Results show that the oxidation resistance of Cu–Ag–Cr and Cu–Ag–Ni materials was about 20 times higher than that of conventional copper materials.