Friction and wear of copper–carbon nanofibers compact composites prepared by chemical vapor deposition

Cu–CNFs compact composites with a CNFs content up to 33vol% were fabricated out of the powder produced in a one-step CVD process for the purpose of developing a functional material with high electrical and tribological characteristics. The friction coefficient, wear and microstructure of the proposed material were compared to conventional Cu–graphite composites consolidated under the same conditions. The friction coefficient of the Cu-(17–33)vol%CNF was found to be 8 times less than that of pure copper and coincides within experimental error with the Cu–graphite composites. The reduction of the friction coefficient in Cu–CNFs is caused in less extent by squeezed out lubricating carbon debris, as it is in Cu–graphite materials, but by the sliding of very thin wear sheets along the grain boundaries enriched with CNFs. The wear in Cu–33vol%CNFs material was more than two times less compared to that of Cu–33vol% graphite samples, which is explained by the delamination of thinner wear sheets. •Cu–CNFs composite powder was synthesized by one-step CVD process and compacted.•Wear in Cu–33vol%CNFs compacts is two times less than that of Cu–33vol%graphite.•An explanation for the wear decrease is proposed