Influences of counterface materials and reinforcements on the sliding wear of copper matrix composites

Abstract

Abstract The influences of counterface materials and reinforcements on the sliding wear behavior of copper matrix composites have been investigated. Experiments were performed using a block-on-ring type wear machine on which SiC/Cu and (SiC+Gr)/Cu hybrid composites were slid against various counterfaces, i. e. GCr15 bearing steel, 45 medium carbide steel and AlSi alloy. Experimental results show that increasing counterface hardness is in favor of the establishment of a wear resistant mechanically mixed layer (MML) on SiC/Cu composite, while massive materials transfer and seizure take place when tested against soft counterface. The wear resistance of hybrid composite is improved by forming a graphite-rich MML, and the hardness of steel counterfaces does not influence the wear behavior obviously. The graphite film formed on the two sliding surfaces alleviates materials transfer and avoids the occurrence of seizure with soft counterface.