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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.
AtıfScopus2WoS2OpenAlex2
İncele - MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ2Influence of Low-SiC Content on the Tribological and Electrical Properties of Cu Composites Produced by Spark Plasma Sintering
Çelik, Ertuğrul
In this study, copper matrix composites reinforced with varying silicon carbide (SiC) contents (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%) were fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effects of SiC reinforcement on the microstructure, hardness, porosity, electrical conductivity, and tribological performance were systematically investigated. Brinell hardness values increased with higher SiC content, reaching up to 76 HB for the 1 wt.% SiC composite. This improvement was accompanied by a gradual increase in porosity from 0.6 to 2.1%. Electrical conductivity decreased from 93% IACS to 66% IACS with increasing SiC content. Tribological tests revealed that the specific wear rate was significantly reduced, reaching as low as 1.1 × 10−4 mm3/N m at 15 N due to the formation of a protective tribolayer. These results demonstrate that incorporating small amounts of SiC can substantially improve hardness and wear resistance, while maintaining acceptable electrical performance, making Cu-SiC composites promising candidates for durable electrical contact applications.
AtıfScopus1WoS1OpenAlex1İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ2Tribological Performance of SPS-Fabricated Cu-HEA/Gr Composites Under Current-Carrying Sliding Contact
Ozkaya, Serdar; Çelebi, Müslim; Yanar, Harun; Karabacak, Abdullah Hasan; Çelik, Ertuğrul; Güler, Onur; Coskun, Abdulkadir; Sekban, Dursun Murat
Cu-based hybrid composites reinforced with AlCrFeCuNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) particles and graphene were successfully fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS) to investigate the combined effects of microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological performance under electrical current. Microstructural observations revealed a dense and homogeneous distribution of HEA particles within the Cu matrix, while the addition of 2.0 wt.% graphene promoted noticeable grain refinement due to its grain boundary pinning effect. Although graphene addition provided beneficial effects in terms of grain refinement and electrical conductivity, it also increased the porosity from 2.49% to 5.08%. Consequently, the beneficial contribution of graphene to mechanical strengthening was substantially offset by the adverse effect of increased porosity, resulting in only a marginal increase in hardness from 127 HB to 129 HB. The addition of 2.0 wt.% graphene led to a pronounced change in the tribological behavior of the composites. The Cu–HEA exhibited relatively stable friction behavior but experienced a higher wear rate under all test conditions. In comparison, the Cu–HEA–2.0 Gr composite demonstrated a lower coefficient of friction and wear rate at 0–10 A, which is consistent with the possible formation of a graphene-rich lubricating surface layer. A clear transition occurred at 30 A, where the coefficient of friction and wear rate began to increase, while at 50 A, further increases in both parameters were observed, suggesting progressive disruption of the proposed protective surface layer under the investigated current-carrying sliding conditions.
