The Role of MAX Phase Volume Fraction in Oxide Tribofilm Formation and Wear Mechanism of Cu–Ti₃SiC₂ and Cu–Ti₃AlC₂ Composites

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the tribological behavior of copper-based composite materials with different contents (30 and 50 vol. %) of the MAX phases Ti₃SiC₂ and Ti₃AlC₂, obtained by extrusion additive manufacturing.

The samples were manufactured using a multi-stage technology: powder mixing, extrusion, additive formation, decomposition of the polymer binder, and heat treatment. Tribological tests were conducted under dry sliding friction conditions using the pin-on-disk scheme with a counterface made of AISI 52100 steel. The wear surfaces were examined using laser confocal and scanning electron microscopy with elemental mapping.

Composites with 30 vol. % MAX-phase (Cu–30%Ti₃SiC₂, coefficient of friction (COF) = 0.46; Cu–30%Ti₃AlC₂, COF = 0.51) demonstrate significantly higher values of the average friction coefficient in composite — AISI 52100 steel tribosystem compared to the samples containing 50 vol. % MAX-phase (Cu–50%Ti₃SiC₂, COF = 0.28; Cu–50%Ti₃AlC₂, COF = 0.27). An oxide layer formed by oxides of the com-posite components was detected on the wear surfaces of all samples. The wear mechanism is defined as combined oxidative and adhesive, with similar wear particle morphology for all compositions. The tribological properties of composites are determined by both the volume fraction of the MAX phase and its chemical composition. The increased susceptibility of Ti₃SiC₂ to oxidation significantly influences the formation of the tribofilm and, consequently, the friction coefficient and wear resistance of the material.

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