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- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Comparative Microstructural, Mechanical, and Tribological Evaluation of Cu Matrix Composites Reinforced with B4C, B, Cr, Co, Al2O3, and Graphite via Powder Metallurgy
Macit, Cevher Kursat; Gürgenç, Turan; Aksakal, Bunyamin; Aslan, Naim
Copper and its alloys are widely used in electrical, automotive, aerospace, and energy applications because of their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. However, the low hardness and poor wear resistance of pure Cu limit its use under tribologically demanding sliding conditions. In this study, Cu matrix composites reinforced with 1 wt.% boron carbide (B4C), boron (B), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), alumina (Al2O3), and graphite (Gr) were fabricated by powder metallurgy and comparatively evaluated under identical processing and testing conditions. Phase constitution and microstructural characteristics were analyzed by XRD, SEM, and EDS, while mechanical and tribological behavior was assessed by Vickers hardness and dry sliding wear tests. All reinforcements improved the hardness of the Cu matrix compared with unreinforced Cu. The hardness increase followed the order Cu–B4C (68.91%) > Cu–B (66.43%) > Cu–Gr (63.97%) > Cu–Al2O3 (61.79%) > Cu–Cr (42.69%) > Cu–Co (36.04%). Dry sliding wear tests, performed under a 10 N normal load, 0.05 m s−1 sliding speed, and 1000 m sliding distance against a 316L stainless-steel ball, showed that all reinforced composites exhibited lower mass loss and more stable sliding behavior than pure Cu. Among all samples, Cu–B4C displayed the best wear performance, with a 154.8% improvement in wear resistance relative to pure Cu. SEM analysis of the worn surfaces revealed that reinforcement addition reduced severe plastic deformation, groove formation, and delamination, leading to a more stable wear regime. Graphite- and boron-containing composites benefited from interfacial lubrication and contact stabilization, whereas B4C and Al2O3 improved wear resistance through rigid-particle strengthening and enhanced load-bearing capacity. By comparing ceramic, metalloid, metallic, oxide, and solid-lubricating reinforcements at the same low addition level and under identical processing and testing conditions, this study provides a reinforcement-selection framework for Cu-based composites requiring improved hardness and dry-sliding durability.
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İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Comparative and systematically analysis of the effects of single and high-entropy rare earth oxide additives on the some physical properties and radiation shielding properties of copper composites
Kanca, Muhammed Sait; Yılmaz, Demet; Tasgın, Yahya; Kök, Mediha; Güler, Seval Hale
In this study, the effects of rare earth oxides (Gd₂O₃, La₂O₃, Eu₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Dy₂O₃, and Y₂O₃) and high-entropy oxide (GdLaEuPrDyY)₂O₃ additives on the structural, mechanical, and radiation shielding properties of copper matrix composites were investigated. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses showed that the high-entropy oxide successfully formed in a single-phase bixbyite structure after mechanical alloying and was homogeneously distributed within the copper matrix. The rare earth oxide additive significantly reduced the crystal grain size of the Cu matrix and improved its mechanical properties. Specifically, the microhardness value reached 68.3 Hv in the composite with 20% high-entropy oxide additive, representing an increase of approximately 111% compared to pure copper (32.3 Hv). Gamma shielding results showed that the rare earth oxide additive significantly increased the photon attenuation capacity. Specifically, at 242 keV energy, the Dy₂O₃ additive increased the MAC value from 0.141 cm²/g to 0.246 cm²/g, providing a 74.5% improvement. The most important result is that the composite with 20% high-entropy oxide additive showed the highest shielding performance, achieving a MAC value of 0.278 cm²/g, which is significantly superior to pure copper. Furthermore, this composite exhibited the lowest HVL and MFP values, demonstrating the highest photon shielding efficiency. Neutron shielding analyses revealed that Gd₂O₃ and high-entropy oxide additives, in particular, increased thermal neutron attenuation performance to approximately 100%. These results demonstrate that high-entropy oxide additives provide a stronger impact compared to single oxide additives, offering superior performance in both gamma and neutron shielding. Consequently, copper composites doped with (GdLaEuPrDyY)₂O₃ stand out as promising alternative shielding materials for nuclear facilities, radiation protection systems, and advanced engineering applications due to their high shielding efficiency, improved mechanical properties, and non-toxic composition.
AtıfScopus1OpenAlex1İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Effect of Zinc Content on the Mechanical, Corrosion, Tribological and Electrical Properties of Spark Plasma-Sintered Copper/Graphene Composites
Özkaya, Serdar; Adabaş, Yaren; Çelebi, Müslim; Karabacak, Abdullah Hasan; Çelik, Ertuğrul
Copper-based hybrid metal matrix composites reinforced with graphene and zinc were developed to achieve a balanced combination of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, wear performance, and electrical conductivity. In this study, Cu matrix composites containing a constant graphene content of 1 wt.% and varying Zn contents (0, 5, 10, and 15 wt.%) were fabricated through mechanical alloying followed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The effects of zinc content on microstructure, densification, hardness, corrosion behavior, tribological performance, and electrical conductivity were systematically investigated. Microstructural analyses revealed that the combined use of graphene and Zn significantly influenced grain refinement, interfacial stability, and densification behavior. The composite containing 10 wt.% Zn exhibited the highest relative density (~90.5%) and maximum hardness (62 HB), indicating an optimal reinforcement level. Corrosion tests conducted in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution demonstrated that the 10 wt.% Zn composite showed the most noble corrosion potential and the lowest corrosion current density, which was attributed to reduced porosity and improved microstructural homogeneity. Tribological results confirmed that graphene contributed to a self-lubricating effect, while Zn enhanced load-bearing capacity, leading to improved wear resistance under increasing normal loads. Electrical conductivity measurements showed a gradual decrease with increasing Zn content, mainly due to solid-solution-induced electron scattering in the Cu matrix; however, the fixed graphene addition and effective SPS consolidation helped preserve conductive pathways, allowing all composites to retain acceptable conductivity levels. The results indicate that the hybrid Cu–graphene–Zn composites exhibit a balanced combination of mechanical, corrosion, tribological, and electrical properties, with 10 wt.% Zn emerging as the optimal composition.
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