Effects of Thermal Conductivity of Matrix on Wear Behavior of Metal-Based Composite

Abstract

Effects of thermal conductivity of matrix on wear resistance of metal-based composites are investigated. As composites, Cu-based composites and Ni-based composites are fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Both composites contain diamond particles as solid dispersoid. Wear resistance of the both composites is changed with the distribution of diamond particles. Moreover, weight loss of the Cu-based composites by wear tests is much smaller than that of the Ni-based composites, although hardness of Cu is smaller than that of Ni. Thermal conductivity of Cu is much higher comparing with Ni. Because worn surface is locally heated by frictional heat, it is considered that Ni matrix is easily annealed by the frictional heat during wear tests rather than Cu matrix. Therefore, it is found that thermal conductivity of matrix in composite influences on its wear resistance as well as the distribution of the solid particles.