A study by a group of researchers of Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta” (Mat4En2, FunMat and PolyEngLab) in collaboration with University of Oulu (Finland) within the EU project EIT ADMA2, has been published on «Lubricants», an international open access journal of tribology.

In this study, the scratch resistance of two different copper powders, dendritic and spherical, and their composites with traditional MoS₂, nanometric MoS₂, and graphene nanoplatelets was investigated. 
The materials were characterized through a variety of techniques such as micro-indentation hardness, electrical resistivity, contact angle wettability, X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. 
Wear test demonstrated that the composites produced by powder metallurgy combine optimal performance and functionality with their ability to operate in harsh environments, coupling low friction with reduced surface damage.

Physico-Mechanical Properties of Metal Matrix Self-Lubricating Composites Reinforced with Traditional and Nanometric Particles

Marco Freschi, Alessia Arrigoni, Oskari Haiko, Luca Andena, Jukka Kömi, Chiara Castiglioni and Giovanni Dotelli
«Lubricants» 2022, 10(3), 35

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