Tribology Behavior Of High-Content Graphene/Nanograined Cu Bulk Composites From Core/Shell Nanoparticles

Graphene has attracted intensive attention as a new emerging lubricant and additive in composite materials. By consolidating premade Cu@graphene core/shell nanoparticle powder into bulk composites using hot-pressing, nanograined Cu matrix composites reinforced by high-content graphene with a volume fraction >20% are obtained in this work. Their tribology behaviors are studied via the ball-on-plate tests, and the results show that coefficient of friction is significantly reduced from -0.6 to -0.25, and specific wear rate is also decreased. The mechanisms are discussed based on the microstructural evolution of the composites during friction process and the tribology properties of the hot-pressed bulk sample of reduced graphene oxide.