Physico-mechanical and tribological properties of Cu/h-BN nanocomposites synthesized by PM route

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds Vol. 625; pp. 309 - 317
• Main Authors: Elkady, Omayma A.M., Abu-Oqail, Ahmed, Ewais, Emad M.M., El-Sheikh, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.03.2015
• Subjects: Boron nitride; Compressibility (powder); Compressive strength; Copper; Cu matrix composite; Densification; Density; Electrical resistivity; h-BN; Mechanical properties; Nanostructure; Powder metallurgy; Sintering; Tribological properties; Tribology; Cu matrix composite; Mechanical properties; Tribological properties; Powder metallurgy; Electrical resistivity; h-BN
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.10.171

•Addition of h-BN to Cu nanoparticles is very novel.•Composites formed under 700MPa and sintered at 950°C/2h gave the highest values.•The studied composites recorded anisotropic mechanical parameters.•These composites are expected to find a wide variety of advanced applications. Manufacture of self-lubricating net-shapes composites has become an important issue in recent years due to their unique tribological properties which make them suitable for a wide variety of advanced applications. In this work, nano-copper with 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10wt.% of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) composites were prepared by powder metallurgy (P/M) technology. These mixtures were uniaxially pressed by applying different loads (300–1200MPa) and sintered at a temperature range of 900–1000°C. The outcomes indicate that the relative green density is directly proportional to the applied load and inversely proportional to the content of h-BN. Cu/h-BN composites formed under 700MPa and sintered at 950°C for 2h recorded the highest relative density, hardness and compression strength. They are exhibited the lowest electrical resistivity, wear rate and coefficient of friction. These results attributed to h-BN characteristics such as low density, high dielectric constant and lubricity.