Carbon fiber/copper mesh reinforced carbon composite for sliding contact material

A novel carbon fiber/copper mesh knitted fabric reinforced carbon (Cf/Cu/C) composite was fabricated by a CVI-I/C technique. The mechanical, electrical, arc discharge and tribological properties of the Cf/Cu/C composite were compared with those of a traditional C/Cu composite fabricated by powder metallurgy. The results show that the copper mesh distributes uniformly in the Cf/Cu/C composite, and it exhibits higher mechanical property and more excellent electrical resistivity than those of the C/Cu composite. Meanwhile, the arc resistance property of Cf/Cu/C composite is also better than the C/Cu composite under the same testing conditions. The wear rate is about 80% of the C/Cu composite.