Thermal, corrosion and wear analysis of copper based metal matrix composites reinforced with alumina and graphite

The wear and corrosion resistances are important in marine applications, especially when it comes to structural support components like bearings, bushes and blocks. The copper hybrid metal matrix components are the new avenues explored in this front. A novel combination of alumina and graphite were considered as the reinforcements in a copper base for the development of a metal matrix composite. Power metallurgical techniques were used for the development of the MMC. The Vickers's hardness value of 64.9Hv has been observed by increasing the volume of alumina. Thermogravimetric analyses were carried out on material samples to estimate the exact sintering temperature and identified that 450-700 °C would be conducive. The TGA curves shows two step decomposition exists between 4300C 460 °C. FT-IR analysis was done to confirm the peak values of the materials. FTIR exposed the peak value of 1600 cm−1 for alumina where as for Copper and graphite peak values have been 2840 cm−1 and 17260 cm−1 respectively. The potentio dynamic analysis was done to estimate the rate of corrosion on the samples. The sample with nano and micro reinforcements offered intensive resistance to corrosion. The presence of graphite minimized the weight loss of the samples during the corrosion test. Finally the wear rates of the samples were estimated using the Pin On Disc experimental setup. The samples with nano material reinforcement and with a maximum proportion of graphite exhibited a better wear rate of 1.52 × 10−12 m2/kg under maximum load conditions.