Tribological characteristics of compacted graphite cast iron in dry sliding condition

The dry sliding wear and friction behaviors of compacted graphite cast iron (C. G. iron) were analyzed. The influence of the operating conditions (i.e. velocity,pressure), chemical composition and microstructure on the dry sliding tribological characteristics of the cast iron was studied. The 3-D topographical properties and wear surface temperature characteristics of C. G. iron were discussed. The results suggested that, compared with spheroidal graphite cast iron (S. G. iron) and grey cast iron, C. G. iron has the lowest wear rate,the highest friction coefficient, the lowest attenuation quantity in friction coefficient and is suitable for brake materials. The wear resistance and friction coefficient of C. G. iron can be substantially increased by introducing alloy elements such as phosphorus. The good tribological properties of C. G. iron under dry sliding condition have been further explained from mechanism by analyzing the 3-D surface topography and temperature field of dry sliding surface of specimen.