Investigation of current-carrying tribological properties and mechanisms of in-situ 2TiB2/Cu-3B composite

A novel 2TiB2/Cu-3B composite was fabricated via in-situ reactive casting technology, and its current-carrying tribological properties and wear mechanisms under sliding electrical contact conditions were systematically investigated. The synergistic effect between the anti-friction B phase and wear-resistant TiB2 particles significantly enhanced the wear resistance of the composites. Compared with 2TiB2/Cu composite, the coefficient of friction and wear rate of the 2TiB2/Cu-3B composite decreased by 63 % and 89 %, respectively. The dual-phase reinforcements ensured efficient current transmission while minimizing friction. The anti-friction layer regenerated during friction, while the uniform distribution of wear-resistant phases prevented overheating and delamination. Based on these synergistic mechanisms, 2TiB2/Cu-3B composite exhibits excellent currentcarrying and wear resistance properties, providing valuable insights for designing current-carrying materials in electrical contact applications.