Tribological Performance of M50-Ag-TiC Self-Lubricating Composites at Elevated Temperature

Abstract

M50 steel is widely used in aero-engine bearings and other high-temperature bearings. However, the poor wear of M50 steel resistance restrains its further applications. In this paper, the sliding tribological behaviors of M50 steel, M50-Ag composites (MAC) and M50-Ag-TiC composites (MATC) against Si3N4 ball were investigated from 150 to 600 °C at 15 N-0.2 m/s. MATC showed better tribological properties in comparison with M50 and MAC. Especially at 450 °C, MATC obtained the lowest friction coefficient of 0.15 and smallest wear rate of 1.3 × 10−5 mm3 N−1 m−1. The excellent tribological performance of MATC during the friction test was attributed to the continuous lubricating film containing lubricant Ag and reinforcement TiC, as well as the subsurface compacted layer that could well support the lubricating film to prevent it from being destroyed. At 600 °C, because of the tribo-chemical reaction between Ag and Mo oxide during sliding process, the newly formed Ag2MoO4 lubricating film was well spread out on the friction surface, which could continuously improve the tribological behavior of MATC. This investigation was meaningful to improve the anti-friction and wear resistance of M50 matrix bearing over a wide temperature range.