Cu(Al)/graphite composites synergistically reinforced with TiC and Al2O3 via in situ synthesis

In this study, Ti 3 AlC 2 was incorporated into Cu/graphite composites (CGC) to produce TiC-reinforced Cu(Al)/graphite composites (TRCGC). Besides, pre-oxidation of the raw powders of Cu-coated graphite and Ti 3 AlC 2 resulted in the formation of Al 2 O 3 , which, together with TiC, provided synergistic reinforcement in the Cu(Al)/graphite composites (TARCGC). Upon decomposition, Ti 3 AlC 2 produced alternating TiC-rich and Cu(Al)-rich layers, and a TiC layer is promoted at the Cu(Al)/graphite interface. The combined effects of TiC and Al 2 O 3 significantly improved the high-temperature performance. The temperatures at which the hardness decreases to 50 % of its room-temperature value are approximately 320 °C for CGC, 510 °C for TRCGC, and 590 °C for TARCGC.