Friction and wear performances of brake material dry sliding against a composite with a semi-interpenetrating network structure of ceramics and Al-alloy

The friction and wear performances of brake material dry sliding against semi-interpenetrating network ceramics/Al-alloy composites were determined using a SRV testing machine. For applied loads from 40–160 N, the friction decreased at 100 and 250 °C. The former friction was superior to the latter. Wear increased at 100 °C but decreased at 250 °C, and converged gradually in both cases. Friction fade took place at high temperatures, followed by overrecovery upon cooling. Higher temperatures increased wear. The proposed friction models incorporated with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis explain the test results better.