Sintered iron–copper–tin–lead antifriction materials — effect of temperature

Fe–4.5 wt.% Cu–1.75 wt.% Sn–1 wt.% MoS2 antifriction material with varying additions of Pb (0.0–12.5 wt.%) were developed by a conventional powder metallurgy route by sintering at 800, 850 and 900°C for 20–50 min and the mechanical and frictional properties of the sintered compacts were evaluated. Addition of Pb up to 7.5 wt.% improved the antifrictional and mechanical properties, whereas further addition deteriorated these properties. The lowest coefficient of friction of 0.08 at the PV value of 0.76 MPa ms−1 and the maximum hardness level of 254 VHN were obtained for the composition containing 7.5 wt.% Pb sintered at 850°C for 30 min.