Effect of electrical current on tribological property of Cu matrix composite reinforced by carbon nanotubes

Cu matrix composite reinforced with 10% (volume fraction) carbon nanotubes (CNTs/Cu) and pure Cu bulk were prepared by powder metallurgy techniques under the same consolidation processing condition. The effect of electrical current on tribological property of the materials was investigated by using a pin-on-disk friction and wear tester. The results show that the friction coefficient and wear rate of CNTs/Cu composite as well as those of pure Cu bulk increase with increasing the electrical current without exception, and the effect of electrical current is more obvious on tribological property of pure Cu bulk than on that of CNTs/Cu composite; the dominant wear mechanisms are arc erosion wear and plastic flow deformation, respectively; CNTs can improve tribological property of Cu matrix composites with electrical current.