Microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties of Al matrix composites reinforced with Cu coated Ti3AlC2

Al matrix composites reinforced with Ti3AlC2 and Cu coated Ti3AlC2 were prepared by hot-press sintering approach. It was confirmed that Ti3AlC2 displayed poor wettability with Al, resulting in the poor interfacial bonding strength between Ti3AlC2 and Al matrix. However, Al2Cu layer could be formed due to the reaction between Cu and Al during the sintering process, when Cu coated Ti3AlC2 was incorporated in Al matrix. Because of the formation of enhanced Al2Cu interface, the mechanical and tribological properties were significantly improved. The Al2Cu layer could bridge Ti3AlC2 particle and Al matrix effectively, which contributed to absorbing energy when load was applied, to provide better mechanical properties. Moreover, Ti3AlC2 particle could exhibit powerful pinning effect to inhibit two-body abrasion and adhesion wear, which was favorable for forming smooth tribo-oxidation surface to yield low friction coefficient. The wear mechanism was believed to be oxidation and fatigue wear.