Electrical sliding wear property of Al2O3 particle reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr matrix composite

Abstract

Al2O3 particle reinforced Cu–Cr–Zr matrix composite was fabricated through a powder metallurgy plus hot extrusion route, with water atomised Cu–Cr–Zr powder as the starting materials. The electrical sliding wear property was investigated using a pin on disc type wear apparatus in air at room temperature (20°C) compared with the matrix alloy. The results show that arc erosion and mechanical wear were the dominant wear mechanism when sliding under the electrical field. The wear rates increased gradually with increasing electrical current, owing to the augment of electrical erosive degree. Incorporation of Al2O3 reinforcement increased the mechanical properties and then effectively decreased the materials loss induced by both electric arc discharge and adhesion wear. As a result, the Al2O3/Cu–Cr–Zr composite has high electrical sliding wear resistance and would be a promising candidate for the electrical sliding contact fields.