Effect of Graphene Nano-Sheets Additions on the Microstructure and Wear Behavior of Copper Matrix Nano-Composite

Abstract

Six samples of copper matrix composites contain different weight percentages of graphene that are 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1 wt. % GNs were fabricated using the electro-less copper deposition followed by the powder metallurgy technique. The sintering process has proceeded in a hydrogen atmosphere furnace. The morphology and microstructure of the as-received powders, as well as the sintered samples, are examined using the scanning electron microscope. The chemical composition of the fabricated composites was evaluated by the EDAX analysis. The effect of GNs content on the hardness, wear rate The microstructure of the composites reveals a good distribution of the (GNs and MoS2) in the copper matrix. Also, good adhesion between GNs and the (Cu-10MoS2) matrix was achieved. The 0.4 wt. % GNs composite exhibits the highest hardness and the lowest wear rate.