Wear behaviour of tungsten carbide particles reinforced copper alloy composites

The wear behaviour of copper alloy (phosphor-bronze) composites was studied as a function of sliding speed and applied loads. Loads of 20 to 160 N in steps of 20 N and linear speeds of 1.25, 1.56, and 1.87 m/s were employed. The results indicated that wear rate of both the composites and the alloy increased with increase in load and sliding speed. However, the composites exhibited lower wear rate than the alloy. It was found that above a critical applied load, there exists a transition from mild to severe wear both in the unreinforced alloy and in the composites. But the transition loads for the composites were much higher than that of the alloy. The transition loads increase with the increase in content of tungsten carbide, but decreases with increase in sliding speeds. The above discussed composites are possible candidate materials for bearing sleeves, piston and cylinder liner, and aircraft brakes applications. © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.