Preparation of titanium carbide nanosheet and tribological properties of copper matrix composites

Abstract

TiC nanosheets with a thickness of about 50 nm were successfully prepared via solvent thermal etching Ti3AlC2 in hydrofluoric acid solution at 120°C. TiC reinforced copper-matrix composites with a content of 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 12 wt% were prepared by powder metallurgy with copper powder and TiC nanosheet as raw materials. The friction and wear behaviours of copper matrix composites were tested on a ball on disc under dry sliding conditions. The results showed that TiC particles were evenly distributed on the substrate and had a good combination with the substrate. The friction coefficient and wear scar widths of the composites gradually decreased with the increase of TiC nanosheet content, the maximum reduction of friction and wear was achieved under the content of 7 wt% for the TiC nanosheets. The increase in load causes the increase of friction coefficient and wear scar widths. The wear of pure copper is mainly adhesive wear and peel wear. The addition of TiC nanosheets improves the bearing capacity of copper matrix composites, and the wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear.