Friction and wear properties of C/C–SiC braking composites

Two series of C/C–SiC composites were fabricated via precursor infiltration pyrolysis (PIP) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) using porous C/C composites with different original densities as preforms, respectively. The tribological characteristics of C/C–SiC braking composites were investigated by means of MM-1000 type of friction testing machine. The friction and wear behaviors of the two series of composites were compared and the factors that influence the friction and wear properties of C/C–SiC composites were discussed. Results show that the friction and wear properties relate close-knit to the content of SiC and porosity. As the original preform density increasing, the content of SiC and porosity decrease, and then the friction coefficient increases obviously, the braking time and the wear rate both decrease. Preparation techniques play an important role in the tribological properties of C/C–SiC composites. Compared with PIP process, the samples from CVI have a little higher friction coefficient, shorter braking time and higher wear rate.