spinel (Cu-MA) nanocomposites containing different amounts of  have been successfully synthesized by powder metallurgy technique in order to improve the mechanical properties of pure copper. Phase identification and microstructure of the sintered composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction as well as field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Analysis of the data showed that the nanosized MA particles (50nm) is uniformly distributed in the copper matrix. On the other hand, the hardness of the Cu-MA composites was found to be dependent on the MA content to a certain limit. The MA percent of 2.5 resulted in an increase of 80% in hardness as well as an increase of 72% in compression strength and slight decrease of 3% in relative densities compared to the pure Cu. In addition, the wear loss decreased firstly with the addition of MA up to 2.5% and then increased with an increase in the mass proportion of MA from 2.5% to 5%. As a result, the minimum wear loss was found at 2.5% MA content. Thus, 2.5% MA was found to be the optimum amount of MA that can be added to the Cu matrix without any deterioration in mechanical properties.

PM, MA spinel, electroless copper deposition, sintering, mechanical properties, FESEM.