Employment of Micro- and Nano-WS2 Structures to Enhance the Tribological Properties of Copper Matrix Composites

Friction and wear are responsible for around 23% of the energy consumption in transportation, manufacturing, power generation, residential sectors. Employed components exposed to a wide range operational conditions, therefore suitable material design is fundamental decreasing tribological issues, consumption, costs, environmental impact. This study aims analyze effect different solid lubricants on suitability copper matrix composites (CuMCs) as potential solution reduce depletion sliding electrical contacts working under extreme conditions. CuMCs samples produced by cold-pressing sintering merge high conductivity with lubricant supplied species, namely tungsten disulfide micro-powder (WS2), inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP). The crystalline structure pristine composite materials characterized via XRD. tests show small decrease compared pure copper, due insulating WS2; however, measured values still adequate conduction purposes. Micro-scratch highlight positive combination WS2 structures GNP. friction coefficient reduction leads possibility extending lifetime components.