Reinforcing copper coatings by dispersing nanoparticles within the metal matrix has shown some promise in improving its physical and mechanical characteristics in engineering applications. Such nanoparticle-reinforced copper matrix composites have provided routes for improving mechanical and tribological resistance, enhancing electrical and thermal performance and promoting anticorrosion mechanisms. Reinforced copper matrix composites that incorporate the graphene family of nanomaterials are of particular interest for use in tribology. Graphene (G), graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets have themselves been studied as solid lubricants under high-load applications in air, as the low-frictional sliding of the 2D materials is attributed to the combination of high tensile strength, youngs modulus, and low anisotropic shear strength between the lamellar structures. Graphene-reinforced copper matrix composites can promote self-lubricating properties and expand the technical capacity of copper-based coatings in industry; such graphene-copper composites have shown evidence of material reinforcement and strengthening, improved anti-adhesion properties and provide a lubricating effect to reduce friction and wear. However, the potential of these composites as an applied coating on steel engineering components for high-load applications is limited, as levels of wear of such composites are still too great to maintain a coherent protective coating during long-term lubrication. Another explored route to enhance the tribological performance of copper coatings is to construct copper-metal multilayer structures. Amongst other metals, nickel is a prominent candidate for such a role. The increased hardness and antiwear performance of nickel are considered to reinforce the mechanical properties of the copper coating by improving its overall load-bearing capacity, whilst allowing for copper to perform as a lubricating medium.