Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composite: A new electrofriction material

Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composite, a new electrofriction material, was prepared, for the first time, by PM method. The microstructure, mechanical and electrical properties of the Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites were investigated and were compared with those of Cu/graphite composites. The results demonstrated that Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites had superior mechanical properties over Cu/graphite composites. At filer content of less than 20 vol%, the electrical conductivity for Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites was higher than that for Cu/graphite composites; at high filer content, the electrical conductivity for Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ composites was lower than that for Cu/graphite composites because of the presence of residual pores. It was found that like Cu/graphite composite, Cu/Ti₃SiC₂ was a self-lubricated material. The compressive yield strength, Brinell hardness, relative ratio of compressive for Cu-30 vol% Ti₃SiC₂ composites are 307 MPa, 140, 15.7% respectiveiy.