Effect of interface oxidation treatment on the interfacial reactions and wear properties of co-continuous SiC3D/Cu composites

Co-continuous SiC3D/Cu composites are interesting wear-resistant materials with a unique structure. However, their interface reaction limits their practical applications. In this study, co-continuous SiC3D/Cu composites were fabricated by pressureless infiltration, and their interfaces were modified with different interface oxidation states by high-temperature oxidisation and atmospheric treatment. The effects of the different interface oxidation treatments on the interfacial reaction and wear behaviour of the co-continuous composites were investigated. The results revealed that the surface oxidisation of the three-dimensional SiC skeleton by high-temperature oxidisation prevented the interface reaction between the SiC strengthening phase and the Cu alloy matrix phase, thus improving the interface bonding and wear properties of the composites. In addition, the surface oxidisation of the Cu alloy matrix phase prevented the occurrence of the interface reaction and improved the interface bonding of the composites. However, the Cu alloy was oxidised and the hardness of the matrix phase in the composites decreased when the infiltration atmosphere was changed into an air environment. Finally, the co-continuous SiC3D/Cu composite with oxidised SiC and unoxidised Cu showed the best wear-resistance performance (approximately 9.77 x 10(-7) cm(3).m(-1).N-1).