Microstructure, XRD characteristics and tribological behavior of SiC–graphite reinforced Cu-matrix hybrid composites

Abstract This study’s main goal is to investigate how the properties of pure copper are impacted by the addition of silicon carbide–graphite reinforcement. Here in this research a powder metallurgy procedure is used to make copper matrix composites with different amounts of silicon carbide–graphite reinforcement (2 %, 5 %, 8 %, and 10 %) by weight. The microstructure, phases present, wear analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis were all thoroughly examined, while scanning electron microscopy was used for imaging the microstructure of materials. The absence of any intermediate phases between the reinforcing materials and the copper matrix, according to X-ray diffraction data, suggests a strong interfacial interaction between them. A microstructural analysis of the copper matrix indicated a consistent dispersion of silicon carbide–graphite. The amount of reinforcement employed was found to have an impact on the wear characteristics of these copper matrix composites. Notably, the softness of graphite caused the hardness to drop when it was added. The 5 % reinforcement composite material outperformed the other evaluated composite materials in terms of wear rate, which was calculated in term of specific wear rate by using a pin-on-disc testing machine. This implies that this specific composite could be useful for tribological applications.