CuCrW(Al2O3) nanocomposite: mechanical alloying,microstructure, and tribological properties

The effect of alumina nanoparticle addition on the microstructure and tribological properties of a CuCrW alloy was investigated in this work.Mechanical alloying was carried out in a satellite ball mill.The tribological properties of the samples were evaluated using pin-on-disk wear tests with different pins (alumina,tungsten carbide,and steel pins).The results indicated that the tungsten carbide pin had a lower coefficient of friction than the alumina and steel pins because of its high hardness and low surface roughness.In addition,when the sliding rate was decreased,the weight-loss rate increased.The existence of alumina nanoparticles in the nanocomposite led to a lower weight-loss rate and to a change in the wear mechanism from adhesive to abrasive.