| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 829137 | Materials & Design (1980-2015) | 2014 | 8 Pages |
•Foamed copper was filled effectively with the liquid epoxy matrix for tribology.•Foamed copper embedded was effective in transmitting heat and sharing load.•The composites possess better thermal conductivity and wear resistance.
To improve the thermal performance and wear resistance of epoxy–matrix polymers, foamed copper materials filled with a curable epoxy matrix have been developed for tribological studies. Graphite flakes were incorporated as friction additive in the epoxy matrix. The tribological properties of foamed-copper-reinforced composites were investigated using a UMT-2 friction and wear tester. The temperature of the frictional area was measured using an infra-red thermal camera, and the effect of metallic skeletons on temperature was calculated by the finite element analysis (FEA). The results show the foamed-copper-reinforced composites are effective in transmitting heat and sharing load along the interconnected metallic skeletons, and therefore possess better thermal conductivity and wear resistance.
