TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF GRAPHENE OXIDE-METAL-CARBON COMPOSITES

摘要

Cu-C composites are materials used for the production of brushes, contacts, and pressing shoes for electric machines due to their mechanical and wear properties. These characteristics include good thermal and electrical conductivity, a low coefficient of friction, and lubricity under varying operating conditions. Currently, graphite and copper nanopowder based materials are used as a metal-carbon material in different ratios of these components. Graphite content in this kind of material has a positive effect on the smaller consumption of, e.g., rings and commutators. In contrast, a material without graphite content is used at high current densities. The examples of such machines are a DC motor starter or generators for electrolysis characterized by large current and low voltage. The present study tested the effect of graphene oxide (rGO) content on tribological properties in contact with steel in Cu-C composites. Tests were conducted on a ball-on-disk apparatus in conditions of dry friction. Disk wear and surface geometrical structure parameters (SGP) of the samples after tribological tests were determined on the basis of measurements made on the Talysurf.3D contact profilometer from Taylor Hobson. Damage mechanisms were identified and their relationships with structural characteristics were deducted. The hardness of Cu-C materials was higher than in copper. Cu-C based materials produce a better improvement of wear resistance, while the wear resistance of the graphene oxide based composites also decreased.