High Temperature Friction and Wear Characteristics of Fe–Cu–C Based Self-Lubricating Material

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate the tribological properties of a novel iron-copper-graphite (Fe–Cu–C) based self lubricating material at high temperature. The effect of Calcium fluoride (CaF2) as a solid lubricant on friction and wear behavior of sintered Fe–Cu–C materials has been studied. Fe–Cu–C based self-lubricating materials were prepared by single stage compaction and sintering process. CaF2 was added to Fe–2Cu–0.8C based materials in different weight percentages of 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 wt%. The developed materials were tested for mechanical and tribological properties at high temperature (500 °C). The worn out surfaces were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The material with 3 wt% CaF2 exhibited high hardness value where as compression strength of the materials decreased with the addition of CaF2. Samples with 3, 6, and 9 wt% exhibited low value of coefficient of friction (COF) than base matrix. The material with 3 wt% CaF2 addition exhibited better wear resistance as compared to other developed materials. The worn surfaces were mostly characterized by delaminating and abrasive wear. A high temperature solid lubricant CaF2 was used in Fe–Cu–C based matrix and, the developed composites were tested for tribological properties at high temperature. The results showed that addition of CaF2 in Fe–Cu–C improved the friction and wear properties. Based upon the findings, the developed material could be used for antifriction applications.