On cuprospinel in contact layers of copper-containing composites in dry sliding against hardened steel under electric current of high density

Abstract

Dry sliding of sintered composites of Cu–Fe and Cu–RBS (RBS stands for recycled bearing steel) compositions against a quench-hardened steel is tested at a high-density alternating electric current. The contact layers are subjected to plastic deformation. This leads to the formation of transfer layers containing Cu, Fe, FeO, and CuFe₂O₄ phases. It is of scientific interest to determine the effect of cuprospinel (CuFe₂O₄) on the wear. It has been established that the average concentration of cuprospinel in the contact layers of Cu–RBS composites has higher values compared to that of the Cu–Fe composites. However, the wear of the Cu–RBS composites is higher than that of the Cu–Fe composites. The cuprospinel content varies in the range of (0–26) vol.% without any regularity. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the effect of cuprospinel on wear. The transfer layers contain more than 50 vol.% FeO. It has been noted that wear is reduced mainly due to an increase in the FeO concentration and thermal conductivity of the initial composite structure.