Fabrication and tribological behavior of Fe-Cu-Ni-Sn-Graphite porous oil-bearing self-lubricating composite layer for maintenance-free sliding components

Abstract Fe-Cu-Ni-Sn-Graphite oil-bearing self-lubricating composite was prepared using powder metallurgy method through multiple sintering-rolling processes and oil impregnation vacuum-assisted method. The tribological property of the composite were characterized by a UMT-2 tribometer. And the micro-structure and worn surface of composite were investigated by an optical microscope, SEM (scanning electron microscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) and EDS (energy disperse spectroscopy). The results show that the porous oil-bearing self-lubricating composite exhibit an excellent long-term low-friction and antiwear properties. Especially, the friction coefficient of the composite after secondary rolling and sintering decreased by 38% compared to that of the sample without sintering-rolling. After sliding for 21 h, the friction coefficient of the composite still keep relatively stable at a low value. In addition, the wear resistance of the composite has greatly improved after secondary rolling and sintering. And the wear loss of the 40Cr counterpart is almost wear-free and presents oil-graphite mixture around the wear track, which reveals that solid-liquid synergetic lubrication is the potential lubrication mechanism during the sliding process.