Search

Copper-graphite composites find extensive application as electrical contact materials. However, their tribological properties are limited by the weak interfacial bonding. In this study, Ti 3 AlC 2 was used to modify copper-graphite composites fabricated by vacuum sintering. The incorporation of Ti 3 AlC 2 included both coated Cu and uncoated Cu. The hardness, relative density, tribological properties, and microstructure of the composites were thoroughly investigated. The results show that the addition of Ti 3 AlC 2 coated with Cu was conducive to avoiding the agglomeration of Ti 3 AlC 2 particles, and resulting in superior relative density, hardness, lubrication and wear resistance of the composites. Furthermore, the incorporation of Ti 3 AlC 2 not only enhanced the presence of lubricating components in copper-graphite composites but also improved the interface bonding strength between the copper matrix and graphite. Specifically, Cu-graphite-Ti 3 AlC 2 (Cu-coated) composites displayed a relative density of 92%, a hardness of 94.2 HV, a friction coefficient of 0.175, and a wear rate of 1.28 × 10−6 mm3/N·m. • Graphite and Ti 3 AlC 2 were used to synergistically reinforce copper matrix composites. • The microstructure and properties of Cu-graphite-Ti 3 AlC 2 composites were investigated. • The interfacial bonding between copper and graphite was improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper/graphite composites and copper/graphite/Ti 2 SnC composites were fabricated through the process of ball-milling, pressing and sintering. The effects of Ti 2 SnC as the second lubrication component on the mechanical properties, wear resistance and lubrication properties of copper/graphite composites were studied in this paper. The results showed that copper/graphite/Ti 2 SnC composites had better hardness, impact toughness, wear resistance and lubrication performance than copper/graphite composites. The optimum values of hardness, impact toughness, friction coefficient and wear rate of copper/graphite/Ti 2 SnC composites were, respectively, 56 HSD, 1.8J/cm2, 0.15, 9.126 × 10−6 mm3/N·m, while these were only 45 HSD, 1.2 J/cm2, 0.17, 3.534 × 10−4 mm3/N·m of copper/graphite composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]