In this study, we report the microstructure and characteristics of Ag-SnO2-Bi2O3 contact materials using a controlled milling process with a subsequent compaction process. Using magnetic pulsed compaction (MPC), the milled Ag-SnO2-Bi2O3 powders have been consolidated into bulk samples. The effects of the compaction conditions on the microstructure and characteristics have been investigated in detail. The nanoscale SnO2 phase and microscale Bi2O3 phase are well-distributed homogeneously in the Ag matrix after the consolidation process. The successful consolidation of Ag-SnO2-Bi2O3 contact materials was achieved by an MPC process with subsequent atmospheric sintering, after which the hardness and electrical conductivity of the Ag-SnO2-Bi2O3 contact materials were found to be 62–75 HV and 52–63% IACS, respectively, which is related to the interfacial stability between the Ag matrix, the SnO2 phase, and the Bi2O3 phase.

The bi-materials with Al-Mg alloy and its composites reinforced with SiC and particles were prepared by conventional powder metallurgy method. The A1-5 wt%Mg and composite mixtures were compacted under , and then the mixtures compacted under 400 MPa were sintered at for 5h. The obtained bi-materials with Al-Mg/SiCp composite showed the higher relative density than those with composite after compaction and sintering. Based on the results, the bi-materials compacted under 400 MPa and sintered at 873K for 5h were used for mechanical tests. In the composite side of bi-materials, the SiC particles were densely distributed compared to the particles. The bi-materials with Al-Mg/SiC composite showed the higher micro-hardness than those with composite. The mechanical properties were evaluated by the compressive test. The bi-materials revealed almost the same value of 0.2% proof stress with Al-Mg alloy. Their compressive strength was lower than that of Al-Mg alloy. Moreover, impact absorbed energy of bi-materials was smaller than that of composite. However, the bi-materials with Al-Mg/SiCp composite particularly showed almost similar impact absorbed energy to composite. From the observation of microstructure, it was deduced that the bi-materials was preferentially fractured through micro-interface between matrix and composite in the vicinity of macro-interface.

The bi-materials composed of and its composite reinforced with SiC particles were prepared by ball-milling and subsequent sintering process. The size of powder in Al-Mg/SiCp mixture decreased with increasing ball-milling time, it was saturated above 30 h when the ball and powder was in the ratio of 30 to 1. Both powders mixture and mixture were compacted under a pressure of 350MPa and were bonded by sintering at temperatures ranging from 873K to 1173K for 1-5h. At 873k, the sound bi-mate-rials could not be obtained. In contrast, the bi-materials with the macroscopically well-bonded interface were obtained at higher temperatures than 873K. The length of well-bonded interface became longer with increasing temperature and time, indicating the improved contact in the interface between unreinforced Al-Mg part and Al-Mg/SiCp composite part. The relative density in the bi-materials increased as the sintering temperature and time increased, and the bi-materials sintered at 1173K for 5h showed the highest density.