Abstract
Porous copper matrix composites (PCMCs) as a novel potential sliding electrical contact material has superior self-lubricating properties, which could store lubricant and during working release it under external stimuli (frictional force, electricity, etc.) to improve the tribological performance. However, the porous structure of the composites may lead to the decrease of its mechanical strength. The method to synthesize PCMCs with enhanced mechanical properties, high electrical conductivity, and novel self-lubricating properties is explored. In this study, gradient porous copper-zinc composites (GPCMCs) are fabricated with novel self-lubricating properties and enhanced strength. The basic physical and mechanical properties of PCMCs and GPCMCs with different porosities are investigated firstly and their frictional behaviors with or without stored ionic liquid (IL) under electric currents have also been studied. Results showed that the GPCMCs exhibit excellent comprehensive mechanical and tribological properties than the PCMCs with homogenous pore structure. The coefficient of friction (COF) values and wear rates of PCMCs under dry friction are higher, and increase with the increase of applied voltages, and those with IL lubricant under various applied voltages are much lower and exhibit excellent electronically controlled effects. This is because that IL stored in PCMCs and GPCMCs can be released under external electrical and frictional stimulations improving the tribological performance greatly. This work provides a strategy to fabricate sliding electrical contact material with novel self-lubricating and enhanced mechanical properties.
Highlights
Sliding electrical contact devices are components that conduct electrical power between surfaces that are in relative motion; such devices are widely used in high power motors, generators, highspeed electrified railways, and spacecraft.[1,2,3] High sliding velocities and high current densities are typically used in these applications to achieve maximum power transfer and efficiency.[4]
In the electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) maps of powder mixture depicted in Figs. 2(d) and 2(f), the whitest areas represent the alloyed elements and the gray-black areas marked by the dotted green circles represent elements of the pore-forming agents
The wear rates of Porous copper matrix composites (PCMCs) with ionic liquid (IL) lubricant is approximately one third of those without IL lubricant because IL stored in the composites could be released to the friction area under frictional and electrical stimulation, improving the tribological condition greatly
Summary
Sliding electrical contact devices are components that conduct electrical power between surfaces that are in relative motion; such devices are widely used in high power motors, generators, highspeed electrified railways, and spacecraft.[1,2,3] High sliding velocities and high current densities are typically used in these applications to achieve maximum power transfer and efficiency.[4]. Copper matrix composites (CMCs) have been widely used as sliding electrical contact materials due to their good electrical conductivity and excellent tribological properties.
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