Abstract
Owing to good antifriction properties and high wear resistance, copper hybrid composites reinforced with hard ceramic particles and solid lubricant components are regarded as promising materials for applications in sliding electrical contacts. The present work investigates the antifriction mechanism of a (SiC+Gr)/Cu composite from a microstructural viewpoint, so as to assist the development and application of this material. A graphite rich tribolayer formed on the worn surface was responsible for good tribological properties of the composites. Testing results showed that nanoparticles of graphite were involved in a mechanically mixing process by adhering to both the other wear debris and the two contacting surfaces, thereby developing a solid lubricant tribolayer. The nanographite to nanographite contacting mode, formed between the composite and the counterface, significantly improved wear resistance and friction stability. The forming and failure process of the graphite rich tribolayer was studied. A mechanism has been developed based on the experimental results.
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