Molybdenum Disilicide (MoSi₂) and Ferrophosphorus Particles (FemPn) Improve the Anti-Seizure Properties of Copper-Tin-Bismuth Composites under Conformal and Nonconformal Contacts

Abstract

Seizure is a severe accident that can abruptly stop or even damage running equipment. Improving the anti-seizure properties of friction pair materials is also crucial as lubricating and wear resistance. While the tribological performances of molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) and ferrophosphorus (Fe_mP_n) particle-doped copper-tin-bismuth (Cu-Sn-Bi) composites have been investigated in previous studies, the specific effects of MoSi₂ and Fe_mP_n particles on the anti-seizure property of Cu-Sn-Bi materials remain unclear. This study explores the seizure resistance of Cu-Sn-Bi composites containing MoSi₂ and/or Fe_mP_n under conformal and nonconformal contact conditions. The materials were prepared using powder sintering technology, and the metallographic structures of four types of self-lubricating copper composites were observed. Seizure resistance under starved lubrication conditions was investigated, and the worn surfaces under different contact types were discussed and analyzed. The results indicate that the addition of MoSi₂ and/or Fe_mP_n particles effectively refines the grain size, and these particles exhibit different distribution trends after powder sintering. The MoSi₂ and Fe_mP_n particles improved the maximum seizure load of copper-based composite samples by 66.67% and 84.62%, respectively. The seizure forms under different contact types were also discussed.

Keywords:

• Copper-tin-bismuth composites
• molybdenum disilicide
• ferro-phosphorus
• anti-seizure performances
• conformal and nonconformal contact

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province [Grant No. 23JRRA586], the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences [Grant No. XDB 047010203], and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant No. U2341268].