LAUSR

Abstract In this work, Cu matrix composites reinforced with rutile-TiO 2 nanoparticles were fabricated by a facile in-situ method, which involved the in-situ synthesis of TiO 2 -Cu composite powders by molecular-level mixing process and subsequent vacuum hot-pressing sintering of the as-obtained composite powders, leading to dense bulk composites with homogeneously distributed TiO 2 nanoparticles. The influences of in-situ route on the microstructures, TiO 2 distribution and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the composite with 1.72 vol% TiO 2 not only exhibited a high yield strength of 290 MPa which is about 1.6 times larger than that of pure Cu (110 MPa), but also possessed a high fracture elongation of 32% and an outstanding electrical conductivity of 97% IACS, indicating the as-obtained TiO 2 /Cu composites possessing well-balanced mechanical properties and electron conductivity. Moreover, the strengthening mechanism of TiO 2 nanoparticles for the Cu matrix composites was analyzed based on the experimental results.