Microstructure, friction and wear properties of αFeSi2–graphite composite specimens

In this study, αFeSi2–X vol% graphite (X=0, 5, 10, 20) composite disk specimens were prepared by spark plasma sintering, and their microstructure and Vickers hardness were examined. The friction and wear properties of the disk specimens were also investigated by sliding the disk specimens against Si3N4 ball specimens in ethyl alcohol. The αFeSi2–5 vol% graphite composite disk specimens exhibited the lowest and the most stable friction coefficients of all the disk specimens 300 s after the friction and wear tests were started. It was also found that αFeSi2 and αFeSi2–5 vol% graphite composite disk specimens exhibited specific wear rates as low as 10−6–10−7 mm3/Nm.