Wpływ dodatków wȩglowych na właściwości tribologiczne kompozytów spiekanych na osnowie aluminiowej

This paper presents the influence of a type of reinforcement and carbon additives on the tribological properties of composite materials, which were manufactured for potential application in highly loaded friction contacts. The influence of carbon nanotubes and amorphous phase of carbon on the tribological properties of aluminium-based composites was measured. The manufacturing technology of the created materials is based on high-energy milling of powders with subsequent hot pressing at the semi-liquid phase. During research, the aluminium-based composites reinforced by silicon carbide (SiC) or silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) were produced. The 1 wt.% of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or 5 wt.% of glassy carbon particles (GC) were used as additives. The proper selection of milling parameters (velocity, ball to powder ratio, etc.) provided an opportunity to obtain the energy level, which was required for the proper fragmentation of reinforcement particles and for the proper homogenisation of composite powder. The tribological properties of wear were measured (coefficient of friction, wear ratio, etc.) at ambient and high temperatures for the manufactured materials. The conducted research confirm that, due to the adequate level of the friction coefficient and low wear, the presented materials can be used in the automotive industry, e.g. like brake pads. High stability at the required level (0.5-0.8) at temperatures higher than 400°C was observed. The application of carbon additions led to the increase of friction properties. The composite reinforced by silicon nitride was characterized by the best friction properties among the analysed materials.