Fabrication, Characterization and Testing of Copper based Reinforced with GO/MoS2/Ti3SiC2 MAX Phase

Abstract

Copper, Being The Second Most Electrically Conductive Material, Is Used In Various Electrical Applications. However, Challenges Related To Mechanical Properties, Wear Resistance. Coefficient Of Friction And Corrosion Resistance Are Still An Issue. The Aim Of This Research Is To Fabricate, Characterize, And Test Copper-Based Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites In Order To Investigate And Solve Different Mechanical And Tribological Properties. The Composition Was Fabricated Using Stir Casting Techniques. The Casting Parameters And Weight Percentages Of Reinforcements Were Selected Based On Prior Reliable Research Works. As A Result, The Optimal Values For Reinforcement Composition Were Determined To Be 2-5 Wt.%, Along With Casting Parameters Of 40Minutes, 430 Rpm, 5500c, And 1100oc For Time, Stirring Speed, Preheating And Stirring Temperature Respectively. The Addition Of Reinforcements Up To 5 Wt.% Increased The Hardness ByUp To 194% And Compression Strength By Up To 83%. In Addition To The Mechanical Properties,The Tribological Properties Of Coefficient Of Friction, Wear Rate, And Corrosion Rate Were Minimized To 0.165, 0.09 X 10-8 M3/M, And 0.00073mm/Yr Respectively. The Test Result For Electrical Conductivity Demonstrates That There Is An Inverse Relationship Between The Amount Of Reinforcement Wt.% Added And The Electrical Conductivity. The Uniform Distribution Of Reinforcements Was Observed Using Scanning Electron Microscope (Sem) And An Optical Microscope (Om). The Presence Of Reinforcement Nanoparticles Was Confirmed Using X-RayDiffraction (Xrd). The Wear Mechanisms Of The Optimized Sample, Mainly Abrasive And Adhesive, Were Dominant As Observed Under Sem Micrographs. The Synergistic Effect Of Reinforcing Nanoparticles Was Observed Using Ftir Spectroscopy, With The Absorption Spectra Of Si-Compound, C=O, C-Oh, And Ch Showing Enhancements In The Mechanical And Tribological Properties Of The New Composite. The Test Results Demonstrate That The Incorporation Of Ti3sic2-Mos2-Go Enhanced Both The Mechanical Properties And Tribological Properties Of The Base Metal Without Sacrificing Its Electrical Properties Significantly. And It Is Recommended For Use In Electrical Equipment That Requires Higher Mechanical And Tribological Properties, Specifically For Bus Bars.