Tribological Properties of FeS-Cu Copper-Based Self-Lubricating Bearing Materials Prepared by Mechanical Alloying

Abstract

FeS-Cu copper-based self-lubricating bearing materials are prepared by mechanical alloying and powder metallurgy. The effects of ball milling time on the microstructure and properties of the material are analyzed. The dry friction properties of the material are tested on a pin–disc contact reciprocating test machine with the load of 200·N. The morphology and composition of the wear surface are observed and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The test results show that the copper-based material containing FeS exhibits better antifriction and antiwear properties, and the friction coefficient of the friction pair is lower and more stable. Mechanical alloying can promote the uniform distribution of solid lubricant FeS, increase the bonding quality of FeS and the matrix, and enhance the formation and stability of the lubricating transfer film, as well as further improve the antifriction and anti-adhesion properties of the material. Furthermore, as the ball milling time increases, the friction coefficient of the material decreases gradually, and the amount of wear changes regularly.

Keywords:

• Self-lubricating bearing
• mechanical alloying
• FeS
• solid lubricants
• friction and wear