Experimental Analysis of Micro-Tribomechanical and Thermal Oxidation Properties of Ceramic-Reinforced Copper-Graphite Composites

Using the powder metallurgy process, this study focused on the impact of varying concentrations of SiC and graphite additions on microstructural, tribomechanical, and thermophysical properties. The resulting composites had a high relative density (>90%). The reinforcement particles exhibited a homogeneous distribution in the copper matrix. No compound developed between the reinforcing and copper phases. There was good interfacial bonding between the graphite and SiC structures. The composites' overall structural hardness increased by 1.04 to 1.25 times. From 1.13 to 1.40 times, the empirical elasticity modulus increased. With SiC and graphite reinforcement, wear resistance was increased 10-fold to 12-fold for the wear tests. Lean graphite reduced friction by around 2.4 times. The samples that were chosen based on their tribomechanical characteristics underwent oxidation testing. The application of graphite and SiC together resulted in a mere 2.5 times improvement in oxidation resistance, while bare SiC reinforcement enhanced it by almost 30 times compared to pure copper. Lean graphite and graphite added to the structure in combination with SiC had no discernible impact on oxidation resistance. For Cu matrix composites, the operating temperature was critical. Graphite-SiC reinforced samples demonstrated superior properties at temperatures below 300 °C, while lean SiC reinforced samples had superior tribomechanical properties at temperatures over 300 °C.