Effect of aging treatment on the electrical sliding wear behavior of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy

The wear behavior of aged Cu-Cr-Zr alloys dry sliding against a brass count erface were investigated on a pin-on-disk wear tester under electric curren t conditions. The worn surfaces of the aged Cu-Cr-Zr alloys were analyzed b y scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum ( EDS). The results indicated that the aging treatments had an effect on the microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy. At the cons tant current density, the wear rate of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy decreased with aging temperature, and reached the minimum at 500 degreesC, then increased with f urther increasing aging temperature. An appropriate aging treatment may imp rove the wear resistance of the materials due to the formation of fine, dis persive and coherent precipitates within the matrix. An increase in electri cal current resulted in an increase in wear rate of both the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy pin, and the brass disk. Adhesive wear, abrasive wear and are erosion were the dominant mechanisms during the electrical sliding processes. Compared with commercially used Cu-Ag alloy wire (CTHA 110) under the same test cond itions, the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy treated at 500 degreesC for 2 h exhibited much b etter wear resistance. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.