The effect of h-BN reinforcement on wear and friction properties of copper based alloy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) addition on copper based alloy system. Varying amounts of h-BN were added to the prepared metal matrix composition as a reinforcing material. The powder mixture was subjected to high-energy mechanical alloying and compacted under 400 N/mm2 and were sintered at 820°C for 2 hours. Following the sintering of the samples characterization procedures were performed after wear and friction testing. The addition of h-BN led to a decrease in dimensional shrinkage after sintering, while the difference between the achieved density and theoretical density increased. XRD results revealed the presence of characteristic peaks attributed to the reinforcement and metallic matrix. The wear tests revealed a significant increase in wear with higher h-BN content under different applied loads. The initial decline in friction coefficient with h-BN addition was followed by an increase as the h-BN content increased.

Keywords

• cu based sliding materials
• powder metallurgy
• mechanical alloying
• wear
• sintering