Wear and friction behavior of pressure infiltration cast copper-carbon composites

Metal matrix composites, prepared by pressure infiltration casting of copper base alloy into 2 types of microporous carbon preforms, one with 100% amorphous carbon and the other containing 40 wt pct. graphite and 60 wt pct. amorphous carbon, have been examined for their wear and friction behavior under ambient conditions using a pin-on-plate reciprocating wear tester. Micro-structural characterization of tribo-surfaces has been carried out. The thin carbon films formed on the tribo-surface reduced the friction coefficient and wear for the composites, especially at low loads on the pin. Adhesive wear observed on the tribo-surface promoted wear and friction at high loads. The wear and friction were observed to be very sensitive to the size and distribution of the microstructural constituents.