Copper-based alloy (C93200) composites reinforced with a different weight percentage of marble dust particles (1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 wt.%) were developed by stir casting method under vacuum environment. By using this type of reinforcement, it was possible to detect a suitable material for bearing applications. The manufactured material was characterized for its mechanical properties using a micro-hardness tester. A universal INSTRON-5967 machine was used to detect the yield and tensile strength. Further the hardness features were measured using a Walter Uhl model machine, whereby the wear characteristics were simulated under the pin-on-disc tribometer under different working conditions in ambient temperature (23 °C). Next, the preference selection index (PSI) technique that considers multi-criteria decision-making was proposed to validate which material was the best candidate. For the selection of material criteria, some specific material intrinsic properties—such as, density, void fraction, hardness resistance along with tensile, compressive, and flexural strength—were proposed and the surface characteristics linked to friction coefficients along wear properties. It was found that the novel composite material containing 4.5 wt.% of marble dust provided the best combination of properties and is a suitable candidate material for bearing applications.

Composite materials are unique because reveal great physical, mechanical and thermal properties. However, there is yet huge potential to enhance their features by adding specific reinforcement in the matrix in order to reach the requirements of a particular application. This paper presents detailed research on the impact of marble dust reinforcement to mechanical and tribological features of copper based metal alloy (C93200 series) composites dedicated for bearing applications. The novel composites made with marble dust reinforcement (1.5 to 6.0 wt%) were manufactured using the liquid metal stir casting technique. A micro-hardness tester and universal testing machine (Instron-5967) were used to obtain the mechanical properties. While, the POD tribometer was engaged to detect the wear features by simulating various operating conditions by setting the temperature constant (35°C). The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the wear mechanisms produced at the hard contact between the composites with different marble content against an EN-31 hardened steel disc. The data gathered in this research proves an improvement in the mechanical properties, especially for a higher reinforcement ratio of novel composite, in respect to the matrix alloy. Furthermore, the novel marble dust reinforced composites reveal much better wear resistance in respect to un-reinforced composite that make it suitable for bearing application.

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