Mechanical Properties and Tribological Characteristics of Copper Matrix Composite Reinforced with TiC–Ti

Abstract

The paper studies the microstructure, phase composition, mechanical properties, and tribological characteristics of copper matrix composites of the Cu–Fe–FeCr–MoS₂–C system reinforced with TiC–Ti composite inclusions sized 100–140 and 140–200 μm. The composites under study were obtained by sintering under pressure, and the content of reinforcing TiC–Ti inclusions was 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 vol %. It is shown that the hardness of the composites under study increases with the addition of TiC–Ti metal-ceramic inclusions to 15 HBW 10/250/30, which is more than 40% higher than the hardness of the matrix composite. It is revealed that composites reinforced with TiC–Ti inclusions have greater wear resistance compared to the matrix composite without the introduction of reinforcing inclusions. It was found that the composite containing 7 vol % TiC–Ti inclusions 100–140 μm in size has the highest wear resistance, and an increase in the inclusion content to 9 and 11 vol % leads to an increase in the wear intensity of the composite. With the introduction of more than 7 vol % TiC–Ti composite inclusions 140–200 μm in size, a decrease in wear resistance also occurs. The maximum friction coefficient is demonstrated by the composite reinforced with 11 vol % TiC–Ti inclusions 100–140 μm in size, which is 0.36 ± 0.03, and with an increase in the inclusion size to 140–200 μm, the highest friction coefficient is observed with the introduction of 7 vol % TiC–Ti.