Synthesis, Microstructure and Wear Analysis of Copper Alloy with Alumina and Graphene as Reinforcement

Abstract

Hybrid copper alloy composites are widely used in numerous industrial applications, such as aeronautics and automobile, because of their wear resistance and excellent cast ability. They are widely used for high load and low speed application such as stone crushers and earth movers. The pin-on-disc dry sliding wear investigation and microstructure characterization of copper alloy reinforced with Al2O3 and graphene particulates were conducted. Stir casting technique is used to prepare the composites. Wear loss of hybrid composite (Cu alloy + 4wt.% Gr + 4wt.% Al2O3) is compared with Cu alloy, Cu alloy + 4wt.% Gr and Cu alloy + 4wt.% Al2O3. In microstructural analysis SEM and EDS images were assessed to know the distribution uniformness of reinforcement in copper alloy matrix. Dry wear test was carried on pin on disc machine. In the first trial, the sliding speed was kept as constant to 300 rpm and load was varied in range of 1 kg, 2 kg and 3 kg. In the second trial, the load was kept as constant and the sliding speed was varied in range of 100, 200 and 300 rpm. Results in both trials have shown that the wear resistance was increased and wear rate was very low in hybrid composite (Cu alloy + 4wt.% Gr + 4wt.% Al2O3) compared to the other compositions of the tested composites.