Friction and wear behavior of copper matrix composites reinforced with SiC and graphite particles

The objective of this paper is to investigate the friction behavior and wear mechanism of copper matrix composites reinforced with SiC and graphite particles. The results indicate that a graphite-rich mechanically mixed layer (MML) formed on the tribosurface was responsible for the good tribological properties of the hybrid composites at low normal loads. When graphite content was high enough for delamination wear to take place at high load, wear resistance deteriorated. A continuous supply of graphite to the tribo-surface is an important precondition for the formation of a graphite-rich MML and the benefit of its anti-friction properties for the copper hybrid composites.