Preparation and tribological properties of C/SiC friction materials

The cost effective and high performance carbon/silicon carbide aircraft friction materials were prepared by the combination of chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) and reactive melt infiltration (RMI). The tribological properties of the as-manufactured C/SiC composites were measured under the simulated conditions of normal landing of the aircraft. The test results indicate the more excellent tribological properties of C/SiC composites than that of C/C composites. The average coefficients of kinetic friction and static friction are about 0.34 and 0.41, respectively, the wet fading ratio is about 2.9%, the linear wear rate is less then 1.9 μm·cycle^-1, and the coefficient of friction is stable. The surface microstructure and wear debris on wear-induced surfaces of C/SiC disks were investigated by optical microscope and SEM. The results indicate that the main wear mechanism of the C/SiC composites is the grain-abrasion. The wear resistance is improved due to the enhanced in-plane shear strength derived from the fiber bundle vertical to the friction surface.