Wear resistance of nanostructured metal-polymer self-lubricating powder composites

Abstract

Tribotechnical tests and microstructural studies were carried out. Wear mechanism of nanostructured metalpolymer self-lubricating composite materials has been established. This mechanism involves in the formation of separating polymer layers on the friction surface, which reduces the coefficient of friction and running-in period of parts of friction units. Carbon nanoparticles move along the friction surface, hinder the development of seizure processes during the interaction of microroughnesses of the contacting surfaces of the material and the counterbody during the destruction of the separating polymer layers. It was found that the polymer filler is displaced from the friction zone, carbon nanoparticles are pressed into the open areas of the surface of the copper matrix of the composite when the pressure in the tribocontact is higher than 1.5 MPa. The temperature in the tribocontact increases, the polymer filler degrades, the carbon nanoparticles are removed from the friction zone, the strength properties of the composite decrease, the friction coefficient and the wear rate increase at a sliding speed above 1.5 m/s. The obtained research results can be used in mechanical engineering, transportation industry and power engineering.