Effect of reinforcement content on the density, mechanical and tribological properties of Ti ₃ SiC ₂ /Al ₂ O ₃ hybrid reinforced copper-matrix pantograph slide

Abstract

Abstract As an important part of the pantograph and catenary system, the pantograph slide receives increasing attention from investigators, mainly focused on the interfacial bonding and characteristics, electrical conductivity, and friction and wear characteristics under current-carrying circumstances. In the article, hybrid reinforcements of titanium silicon carbide (Ti 3 SiC 2 ) and nano-alumina (nano-Al 2 O 3 ) particles pretreated by electroless plating process were firstly blended with copper powders and then prepressed and vacuum hot pressed to fabricate the hybrid reinforced copper-matrix pantographs (HRCPs). The relative density, mechanical and electrical properties of Ti 3 SiC 2 /Al 2 O 3 HRCPs were calculated and measured. The tribological performance of the HRCPs reinforced with 1 wt%~5 wt% of alumina particles and 20 wt%~40 wt% of Ti 3 SiC 2 reinforcements was also analyzed.