The Microstructure and Wear Characteristics of Cu–Fe Matrix Friction Material with Addition of SiC

The Cu–Fe matrix continuous braking friction materials using SiC as abrasive were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique, and the effect of content and size of SiC were investigated. The tribological properties of friction materials sliding against AISI 1045 steel ring were carried out on a block-on-ring tester at different loads and sliding speeds. The strengthening effect of nano-SiC (55 nm) was superior to that of micro-SiC (70 μm) of the tribological properties for friction materials. The friction coefficients of friction materials increased with increasing nano-SiC content. However, the wear rates decreased with increasing nano-SiC content and then increased when the content of nano-SiC particle exceeded 10 wt%. The specimen contained 10% nano-SiC had the best tribological properties at different testing conditions.