Preparation and Properties of Ti₃AlC₂/Cu Composite

The Ti₃AlC₂/Cu composite was prepared by spark plasma sintering powder mixtures of Cu and Ti₃AlC₂ with different volume fractions at different temperatures (850,900℃) for 20 min. The effects of Ti₃AlC₂ content and sintering temperature on the microstructure, relative density, hardness and frictional wear performance of the composite were investigated. The results show that after sintering at 900℃ for 20 min, with the increase of Ti₃AlC₂ content, the uneven distribution of Ti₃AlC₂ in Cu matrix became more and more obvious; the relative density of the composite decreased and the hardness increased. Meanwhile, the wear rate and friction coefficient of the composite decreased, indicating the increase of wear resistance, and the wear mechanism changed in the order of cut wear and adhesive wear, adhesive wear and abrasive wear, and cut wear and slightly adhesive wear. The relative density of the composite sintered at 900℃ was higher and the friction coefficient was lower than those at 850℃.