The effect of copper concentration on the wear resistance of composites based on recycled ShKh15 steel during friction with current collection

The current-voltage characteristic, wear resistance, and friction surface roughness of baked model copper-graphite-ShKh15 steel composites are determined. It is shown that the composites containing under 10% and above 50% Cu produce a friction zone with low conductivity and wear resistance. The composites containing 15–20% Cu produce a friction zone with relatively high conductivity and wear resistance. The maximum parameters of the roughness (Ra = 2.98 μm and Rz = 24.5 μm) appear on the friction surface of the material containing 50% Cu.