Friction and Wear Behaviors of C/C-Si C Composites under Water Lubricated Conditions

C/C-SiC composites have the potentiality to be applied in shield pumps of nuclear reactors as the bearing material because of their low density, good mechanical properties and excellent tribological properties. The C/C-SiC composites are fabricated via reactive melt infiltration(RMI) using silicon liquid infiltrated in C/C matrix composites. Friction and wear behaviors of C/C-SiC composites under water lubricated conditions are investigated using the block-on-ring test at room temperature, and compared with those of the resin graphite which is used as the bearing material in shield pumps at present. In addition, friction and wear mechanisms of C/C-SiC composites under water lubricated conditions have been discussed. Results show that tensile strengths of C/C-SiC composites are 150-210 MPa, and compressive strengths are 403-536 MPa. Friction and wear behaviors of C/C-SiC composites are closely related to the load and the speed. The time to reach a stable friction status decreases with the increase of the speed. Though the friction coefficient of C/C-SiC composites under water lubricated conditions is slightly higher than that of graphite, the wear rate of C/C-SiC composites is much lower, which suggests that the C/C-SiC composites can sustain a longer life during operation.