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 counterface were investigated on a pin-on-disk wear tester under electric current conditions. The worn surfaces of the aged Cu–Cr–Zr alloys were analyzed by 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 constant current density, the wear rate of Cu–Cr–Zr alloy decreased with aging temperature, and reached the minimum at 500°C, then increased with further increasing aging temperature. An appropriate aging treatment may improve the wear resistance of the materials due to the formation of fine, dispersive and coherent precipitates within the matrix. An increase in electrical 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 arc erosion were the dominant mechanisms during the electrical sliding processes. Compared with commercially used Cu–Ag alloy wire (CTHA110) under the same test conditions, the Cu–Cr–Zr alloy treated at 500°C for 2 h exhibited much better wear resistance.