Tribological properties of nickel-based self-lubricating composite at elevated temperature and counterface material selection

Solid lubricating materials are necessary for development of new generation gas turbine engines. Nickel-based self-lubricating composites with graphite and molybdenum disulfide as lubricant were prepared by powder metallurgy (P/M) method. Their tribological properties were tested by a MG-2000 high-temperature tribometer from room temperature to 600 °C. The structure of the composite was analyzed by XRD and worn surface morphologies were observed by optical microscope. The effects of counterface materials on tribological behavior of composites were investigated. It was found that chromium sulfide and tungsten carbide were formed in the composite by adding molybdenum disulfide and graphite, which were responsible for low-friction and high wear-resistance at elevated temperatures, respectively. The average friction coefficients (0.14–0.27) and wear rates (1.0–3.5 × 10−6 mm3/(N m)) were obtained for Ni–Cr–W–Fe–C–MoS2 composite when rubbed against silicon nitride from room temperature to 600 °C due to a synergetic lubricating action of graphite and molybdenum disulfide. The optimum combination of Ni–Cr–W–Fe–C–MoS2/Ni–Cr–W–Al–Ti–C showed lower friction than other counter pairs. The graphite played the main role of lubrication at room temperature, while sulfides were responsible for low friction at high temperature.