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

## TL;DR

This study examines how adding SiC and graphite to copper affects the material's structure, wear resistance, and oxidation properties.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel analysis of how SiC and graphite reinforcement affects the thermal and mechanical properties of copper composites.

## Key findings

- Composites showed increased structural hardness and wear resistance with SiC and graphite reinforcement.
- Bare SiC significantly improved oxidation resistance compared to pure copper.
- Graphite-SiC composites performed better at lower temperatures, while lean SiC composites excelled at higher temperatures.

## Abstract

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.