Wear Mechanism of Copper-based Powder Metallurgical Friction Materials with Different Graphite Content

Abstract

Copper-based friction materials with different graphite contents were prepared by powder metallurgy process. The influence of graphite content on the surface hardness of friction materials was studied by Bush hardness tester. By means of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), the wear morphology and composition of friction materials were studied, and the wear mechanism was analyzed. The results show that the graphite content has little effect on the surface hardness of friction materials, and the surface hardness mainly depends on the copper matrix and its alloy elements. The main wear mechanism of copper based friction materials is plough type abrasive wear. Graphite has good lubricity and can reduce the wear.