Friction and Wear Properties of Carbon/Silicon Carbide Composites.

Abstract

This paper describes the friction and wear properties of carbon/silicon carbide composites in comparison with that of porous silicon carbide and dense silicon carbide. Tests were conducted in ambient air, using a pin-on-disk friction test apparatus. The friction and wear properties of these materials varied according to the combination of pin and disk materials. The carbon/silicon carbide composite containing the largest carbon volume (about 40vol%) showed the lowest values of friction coefficient and specific wear among all the investigated materials. In addition, it also showed a stable behavior with respect to sliding velocity. The friction and wear mechanisms of these materials were discussed according to the morphology of the worn surfaces observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).