GRAPHITE REINFORCED Fe–Al–X COMPOSITES FOR SLIDE BEARING APPLICATIONS

The Fe–Al–X(Cu, Ni, Ti) composites reinforced with graphite particles were fabricated employing the powder metallurgy process for slide bearing applications. In all samples, graphite particles of 6 wt.% were added. Elemental powders were mixed to specific compositions with a powder lubricant, and then the mixed powders were compacted at 500 MPa. The green compacts were heated to 450°C to remove the lubricant and sintered at 1200°C for 1 h. The sintering was conducted in vacuum. The sintering of binary Fe–Al–graphite system showed low density and growth in dimension. Complex addition of Cu, Ni and Ti improved the sinterability of green compacts due to occurrence of partial liquid phases. Hardness of sintered samples strongly depended on dimensional change during sintering. The samples of high hardness showed better wear resistance properties.