Investigating the mechanical and tribological properties of zirconia-reinforced copper composites

Copper-zirconia composite (Cu-ZrO2) with different percentages of zirconia was produced by ball milling with high energy up to 5 hours. In order to investigate the effect of zirconia with different percentages on the physical and mechanical properties of copper-zirconia composite using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope (OM) to examine powder morphology and powder analysis and distribution zirconia particles were used as reinforcement in the field of copper. Also, mechanical properties such as microhardness, wear rate, friction coefficient and compressive strength of Cu-2.5% ZrO2, Cu-5% ZrO2, Cu-7.5% ZrO2, Cu-10% ZrO2, Cu-15% ZrO2 samples which after 5 hours milling were produced, it was checked. The results of the research showed that the zirconia particles are well distributed in the copper field, moreover by adding zirconia to the copper field, the hardness of the sample increased. Higher percentages of zirconia increased the compressive strength properties, by examining the wear properties of the samples, it was observed that the wear properties of the samples were improved by increasing the amount of zirconia, SEM and XRD analysis showed that the main mechanism that led to a significant improvement in the properties of the nanocomposite Cu-ZrO2 includes the main strengthening mechanisms of Orvan, which is the result of the dispersion of zirconia particles in the copper field, which have prevented the movement of dislocations, in addition to these two main strengthening mechanisms, work hardening and grain crushing as a mechanism reinforcement sub-components of copper-zirconia composites were introduced.

Investigating the mechanical and tribological properties of zirconia-reinforced copper composites Keywords:

Cu-ZrO2 composite , Mechanical alloy making , Mechanical properties , Strengthening mechanism