Study on Effects of Cooling Process on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Melt-casting Copper-Steel Bimetallic Composites

The ZCuPb15Sn5/1045 bimetallic composites were prepared by the melt-casting composite method. The mechanical and tribological properties of the copper-steel bimetallic composites under different cooling process conditions were studied. The results showed that with the acceleration of the cooling rate, the copper layer of the copper-steel bimetallic composite became harder, the grain became finer, and the distribution of the anti-friction element Pb became more uniform. Underwater cooling conditions, the shear strength increased, and the shear fracture gradually showed the tendency of tough and brittle fracture. The cooling process had a more significant influence on the tribological properties of the material. When the cooling rate was slow, the copper layer of the bimetallic composites had a high friction coefficient and relatively serious adhesive wear and oxidation wear. For the water cooling sample with a very fast cooling rate, the friction coefficient of the copper layer was low and the wear degree was relatively light.