Effect Of Al,Zr On Properties And Microstructure Of Fe-18Cu Matrix PM Friction Material

Due to its high temperature performance, carrying capability and low cost, iron-based friction material is widely used. But its dual friction with the iron pair is prone to adhesion and easy to strain the dual surface. Compared with the iron pair, the copper-based friction pair works relatively stable and has good wear resistance with a little high price. This article studies the matrix Fe-18Cu prepared by powder metallurgy, which is added with Al, Cu-10Al and Zr to strengthen. By using optical microscopy, XRD, SEM to study and discuss the material microstructure after strengthened, friction and wear performance, wear mechanism and the results show that:The material microstructure comprises Fe-18Cu, SiO₂ , graphite and before adding strengthening elements, the matrix mainly comprises large grains and holes with low density .After added Al with its addition ranging from 0% to 3%,the new phase AlCu₄ is formed and the matrix is refined with well distributed grains. With the increase of Al content, the mechanical properties increase, of which 2% aluminum-containing has the best mechanical properties with its compressive strength and hardness is 368MP and 95.5HB respectively. The friction coefficient increases firstly and then decreases with the increase of Al content and the speed. When the Al content is 3%, the wear mechanism is mainly adhesive wear and plowing wear..The content of Cu and Al both increases to add Cu-10Al into the material with its content ranging from 0% to 12%. After added Cu-10Al, the new phase Fe₃Al is formed with grain refinement and increasing density. With the Cu-10Al content increasing, the compressive strength and hardness increases firstly and then decreases. When the Cu-10Al content is 8%, the compressive strength and hardness is 377MPa, 102HB respectively and both are the maximum. The friction coefficient increases with Cu-10Al content increasing and the cutting function of third body on matrix is dominated when the speed is 500r/min. As the speed turns to 1500r / min, the friction coefficient is the lowest 0.26 when the content of Cu-10Al is 8% and the wear mechanism is mainly fatigue wear and oxidation wear. While the speed increases to 3000r/min, the friction coefficient decreases first and then increases with the increasing of Cu-10Al and the wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear as well as part oxidation wear and fatigue wear.The new phase FeZr₃ is formed after added Zr with its addition ranging from 0% to 2% and the microstructure and the grain are both refined with decreasing porosity. With the Zr content increasing the compressive strength increases firstly and then decreases, of which the 1% Zr has the highest compressive strength and hardness which is 383MPa, 103HB respectively. When the speed is 500r/min, the friction coefficient decreases with the increasing Zr content and the wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear. As the speed turns to the medium-speed 1500r/min, the wear mechanism is mainly oxidation wear with a small amount of abrasive wear. When the speed increases to 3000r/min, the wear mechanism is mainly oxidation wear as well as part abrasive wear and fatigue wear.