Title: Development and characterisations of microwave sintered (Al₂O₃+MoS₂) reinforced copper-based metal matrix hybrid composites

Authors: Manvandra Kumar Singh; Avnish Kumar Ravi; Rakesh Kumar Gautam; Raj Bahadur Singh; Rajeev Nayan Gupta; Vineet Kumar; Gopal Ji

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, 248002, UK, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, 221005, UP, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, 221005, UP, India ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NIT, Hamirpur, 177005, HP, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Silchar, Assam-788010, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, 248002, UK, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, 248002, UK, India

Abstract: A new kind of copper based metal matrix hybrid composites were developed using microwave sintering (MWS), an advanced technique. Alumina (Al₂O₃) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), including chromium (Cr), were utilised as reinforcements in the copper matrix. There were four materials developed and designated as MWS-CC, MWS-MMC1, MWS-MMC2, and MWS-MMC3. These were characterised using a high resolution-scanning electron microscope (HR-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X-ray, or an energy dispersive spectroscope (EDAX or EDS). XRD analysis exposed the peaks of all the reinforcing particles, including its copper matrix, although the peak intensity of reinforcements is low as compared to the peak intensity of copper due to its low wt. % comparatively. HR-SEM and EDAX analyses revealed the existence of reinforcing particles distributed uniformly in its matrix with its superior interfacing. The relative density, porosity, electrical conductivity, and hardness of the developed hybrid composites were also investigated and reported.

Keywords: microwave sintering; MWS; metal matrix hybrid composites; MMHCs; X-rays diffraction; XRD; relative density; porosity; electrical conductivity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2026.150682

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2026 Vol.17 No.1, pp.1 - 20

Received: 11 Mar 2024
Accepted: 27 May 2024
Published online: 22 Dec 2025 *

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