Effect of Copper and Graphite on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Fe-based Oil-containing Self-lubricating Composites

Fe based oil containing self lubricating composites were prepared by powder metallurgy process. The effect of Cu and graphite contents on the mechanical and tribological properties and the microstructure of the composites was investigated. The composition, microstructure, and mechanical and tribological properties of the composites were examined by means of X ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. The worn surface morphologies of the composites sliding against steel were also observed with a scanning electron microscope. As the results, Fe Cu binary composites show better mechanical and tribological properties than Fe based composites. This is attributed to the change of the microstructure of the composites in the presence of Cu. Moreover, Fe Cu graphite composites have better tribological behavior than the Fe Cu composites, though the introduction of graphite leads to a slight decrease of the mechanical strength of the composites. This is attributed to the change of the microstructure of the composite in the presence of graphite and the synergistic lubrication effect of graphite and oil.