Effect of Al₂O₃Particle Size on Electrical Wear Performance of Al₂O₃/Cu Composites

Abstract

Al2O3/Cu composites (1.0 vol%) reinforced with different size of α-Al2O3 particles were fabricated by a powder metallurgy method and electrical sliding wear tests were performed on a self-made pin-on-disk electrical wear tester. The effect of Al2O3 particle size on electrical wear performance of the Al2O3/Cu composite was studied, and the wear mechanism of the Al2O3/Cu composite was also discussed based on worn surface observations. The results show that the tribological properties of A12O3/Cu composite are closely related to the mechanical properties. With an increase in Al2O3 particle size, the wear rates of A12O3/Cu composites have a reverse variation with hardness of A12O3/Cu composites. In the range of 50–100 nm, Al2O3/Cu composites have the highest wear resistance and mechanical properties. Microstructural observation revealed that the wear mechanisms of Al2O3/Cu composites were mainly adhesive wear and plastic deformation accompanied by a small amount of arc damage. In addition, the plastic deformation area on the pin sample of the frictional end depends on the electrical wear resistance of A12O3/Cu composites.