Relationship between arrangement patterns and tribological properties of copper-aluminum-graphite materials

Abstract

Purpose – Since the multi-component of powder metallurgy was dispersed, and each component sheared flow and tiered under the action of friction force, it was difficult to disclose the evolution characteristics of each component. Meanwhile, third body mixing with particles of each component covered on the friction surface, which further increased the difficulty of understanding evolution of each component and the corresponding third body in the friction process. To solve this problem, this paper aims to propose a mechanical assembled method which compact several component sheets in order. Design/methodology/approach – Pure copper, aluminum and artificial graphite sheets with thickness 0.5, 1 and 2 mm, respectively, were assembled into a jig by mechanical compact method. The relationship between arrangement patterns of the components and its friction coefficient was studied by using fixed speed friction test machine, the speed range from 200 to 2,000 r/min and the pressure range from 0.25 to 0.64 MPa. Findings – The testing results showed that when the distribution of same components was congregated, friction coefficient dropped from 0.6 to 0.4. While the distribution of different components was dispersed, friction coefficient dropped from 0.6 to 0.25. The friction coefficient decline was caused by performances changes of third body fluidity. The sufficiently mixed third body made third body adhesion weaker and increased third body fluidity. That provoked friction coefficient decreasing obviously at high speed. On the contrary, with the high congregation of same components, strong third body adhesion led to a rougher surface which contributed to a higher friction coefficient. Originality/value – By means of the mechanical-assembled multi-layer components to reveal the influence mechanism of every component on friction properties, will provide a new test approach for tribology.