A STUDY OF FRICTION AND WEAR CHARACTERISTICS OF COPPER-BASED AND IRON-BASED SINTERED MATERIALS

Using a pin-on-disk-type wear-testing machine, the friction and wear of sintered materials were studied under unlubricated conditions. The materials tested were Fe- and Cu-based alloys sintered by the hot-pressing method. For various loads and sliding speeds the coefficient of friction, wear surface roughness and contact temperature were investigated as well as the morphology by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis. From the study it was found out that the mechanism of friction and wear was strongly dependent on the material-softening effect of the surface, the formation of a friction film and metal transfer. Under mild sliding conditions the Cu-based alloy had better friction properties, but if the conditions become severe, the Fe-based alloy had better properties as a friction material with low wear and stable friction.