Copper/chromium oxide (75%wt) nanocomposite powders were synthesized via chemical precipitation process. The process was included chemical precipitation of Cr-Cu containing precipitates, calcination and reduction of the precipitates. Based on thermogravimetric analysis of the precipitates, the optimum calcination temperature was determined as 700 oC. The synthesized powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The observations revealed that the powder particles were agglomerated and their shape was mainly spherical. The powders were densified via spark plasma and presssureless sintering at 1000 oC and 1100 oC, respectively. The microstructural evaluation of the spark plasma sintered samples confirmed a near dense structure with a fine dispersion of the constituents. However, the microstructure of the pressureless sintered specimen showed a large number of pores between the powder particles. The relative density and micro-hardness of the spark plasma sintered samples were 95.8% and 1600 HV, respectively.

Keywords: Nanocomposite, Thermogravimetric analysis, Sintering.