Friction and wear properties of carbon fabric composites filled with PTFE and MoS₂

Friction and wear behaviors of MoS₂ and PTFE-modified carbon fabric composites were studied by using an Xuanwu-III high temperature friction and wear tester. Effects of MoS₂ content and test temperature on the tribological properties of carbon fabric composites were studied also. Worn surfaces and counterpart worn surface were analyzed by using a JSM-5600LV scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDXA). It is found that friction-reducing and anti-wear properties of carbon fabric composites can be greatly improved by filling MoS₂, but PTFE as filler reinforced carbon fabric composites is not beneficial for enhancing their anti-wear and reducing-friction ability. When content of MoS₂ is 5%-15%, MoS₂ as filler can obviously reduce friction coefficient of carbon fabric composites. When content of MoS₂ is 10%, carbon fabric composites exhibit best tribological properties. Friction coefficient and wear rate of MoS₂-modified carbon fabric composites is lower than unmodified carbon fabric composites at different test temperatures. When test temperature rises to 240°C, wear rate of carbon fabric composites increases rapidly, but wear rate of MoS₂-modified carbon fabric composites can be reduced 35% compared to that of unmodified carbon fabric composite.