Structural, mechanical, and tribological characterization of magnetic pulse compacted Fe–Cu bimetallic particles produced by electric explosion of dissimilar metal wires

Abstract

Bimetallic 73 wt.% Fe–Cu nanoparticles have been produced using electric explosion of two immiscible metal wires and then consolidated into disks using magnetic pulse compaction. The compacted disks have been characterized for phase composition, mechanical strength, and high-temperature steel ball-on-disk sliding friction. The sample possessed good flexural and compression strength. Friction and wear reduction were observed during sliding test at 400 °C, which was explained by intense tribosynthesis of cuprospinel CuFe2O4 nanoparticles, which served to reduce adhesion between the ball and disk.