The compression properties and electrical conductivity of in-situ 20 vol.% nano-sized TiC_x/Cu composites fabricated via combustion synthesis and hot press in Cu-Ti-CNTs system at various particles size and morphology were investigated. Cubic-TiC_x/Cu composite had higher ultimate compression strength (σ_UCS), yield strength (σ_0.2), and electric conductivity, compared with those of spherical-TiC_x/Cu composite. The σ_UCS, σ_0.2, and electrical conductivity of cubic-TiC_x/Cu composite increased by 4.37%, 20.7%, and 17.8% compared with those of spherical-TiC_x/Cu composite (526 MPa, 183 MPa, and 55.6% International Annealed Copper Standard, IACS). Spherical-TiC_x/Cu composite with average particle size of ~94 nm exhibited higher ultimate compression strength, yield strength, and electrical conductivity compared with those of spherical-TiC_x/Cu composite with 46 nm in size. The σ_UCS, σ_0.2, and electrical conductivity of spherical-TiC_x/Cu composite with average size of ~94 nm in size increased by 17.8%, 33.9%, and 62.5% compared with those of spherical-TiC_x/Cu composite (417 MPa, 121 MPa, and 40.3% IACS) with particle size of 49 nm, respectively. Cubic-shaped TiC_x particles with sharp corners and edges led to stress/strain localization, which enhanced the compression strength of the composites. The agglomeration of spherical-TiC_x particles with small size led to the compression strength reduction of the composites.

The TiC_p/Cu master alloy was prepared via thermal explosion reaction. Afterwards, the nano-sized TiC_p/Cu master alloy was dispersed by electromagnetic stirring casting into the melting Cu–Cr–Zr alloys to fabricate the nano-sized TiC_p-reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr composites. Results show that nano-sized TiC_p can effectively refine the grain size of Cu–Cr–Zr alloys. The morphologies of grain in Cu–Cr–Zr composites changed from dendritic grain to equiaxed crystal because of the addition and dispersion of nano-sized TiC_p. The grain size decreased from 82 to 28 μm with the nano-sized TiC_p content. Compared with Cu–Cr–Zr alloys, the ultimate compressive strength (σ_UCS) and yield strength (σ_0.2) of 4 wt% TiC_p-reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr composites increased by 6.7% and 9.4%, respectively. The wear resistance of the nano-sized TiCp-reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr composites increased with the increasing nano-sized TiCp content. The wear loss of the nano-sized TiC_p-reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr composites decreased with the increasing TiC_p content under abrasive particles. The eletrical conductivity of Cu–Cr–Zr alloys, 2% and 4% nano-sized TiCp-reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr composites are 64.71% IACS, 56.77% IACS and 52.93% IACS, respectively.