Tribological Behaviour of Copper-Graphene Composite Materials

In the present study, the influence of the volume fraction of graphene on the tribological properties of copper matrix composites was examined. The composites were obtained by the spark plasma sintering technique in a vacuum. The designed sintering conditions (temperature 950°C, pressing pressure 50 MPa, time 15 min) allowed obtaining almost fully dense materials. The tribological behaviour of copper-graphene composite materials was analysed. The tests were conducted using a CSM Nano Tribometer employing ball-on-plate tribosystem. The friction and wear behaviour of copper-graphene composite materials were investigated. An optical microscope, interferometer, and scanning electron microscope were used to analyse the worn surfaces. In friction zone, the graphene acts as a solid lubricant, which results in the increase in the content in the composites positively influencing the tribological characteristics of the steel- Cu-graphene composite.