Electrical sliding wear properties of Mo-reinforced MoS2/Cu composites

Abstract

An adequate hardness of MoS2/Cu composites has not been achieved if these materials are applied under the extreme wear conditions. Therefore, Mo-reinforced MoS2/Cu composites were prepared by powder metallurgy (P/M) methods. The electrical sliding wear properties in the absence or presence of Mo-reinforced MoS2/Cu composites were tested by HST-100 high speed electric-tribometer. The hardness, electrical conductivity, density, and microstructure of MoS2/Cu composites were observed. Mo-reinforcement MoS2/Cu composites are of good electrical conductivity, while the hardness of Mo-reinforcedment MoS2/Cu composites is about 33.3% higher than that of MoS2/Cu composites. With the addition of Mo, composites show better wear properties under high speed and large electric current due to the improvement of hardness. The effects of current intensity and sliding velocity on the wear properties of the tested materials are complicated, and the wear mechanisms of MoS2/Cu composites are mainly abrasive wear and adhesive wear with arc erosion.