Structure and properties of self-lubricating copper-nickel-graphite coating fabricated using cold spray

Application of self-lubricating Cu-matrix coatings is an attractive way to provide high electrical conductivity and wear performance in contact friction pairs in various areas of modern engineering. In the present work, the structure and properties of self-lubricating copper-nickel-graphite coating deposited on copper substrate using high-pressure cold spray were studied for the first time. The coating was fabricated by spraying dendritic copper and flaked nickel-coated graphite powders mixed in a ratio 70/30 wt.%, which ensured the formation of a lamellar structure. The obtained coating exhibited an attractive combination of hardness (108.8 HV$_{1}$), coefficient of friction (0.34) and electrical conductivity (43.8 % IACS), which open prospects for its electrical applications.