Unlubricated friction of reaction-sintered silicon carbide and its composite with nickel

Using a pin-on-disk tribometer, unlubricated friction properties at a temperature range of 15–600°C are investigated for reaction-sintered silicon carbides Si/SiC and its composites with nickel Si/SiC–Ni. The results have shown that the friction properties of the Si/SiC are improved with addition of nickel, and a good self-lubricating property is registered for the composite with fine primary SiC powders used in reaction-sintering processes. Unlubricated friction processes of the tested materials are studied with the analyses of phase composition of wear debris by X-ray diffraction, chemical composition and morphology of worn surfaces by SEM.