WEAR AND FRICTION STUDIES OF NICKEL–TUNGSTEN CARBIDE–GRAPHITE COMPOSITES

Abstract

Wear and friction studies have been carried out on pressed and sintered composites of 75–95% theoretical density. Carbonyl nickel and tungsten carbide, both with a particle size of 5 μm, and natural crystalline flake graphite with an approximate size of 1·1 μm were used. The wear specimens were run against a rotating (100 rev/min) steel cylinder. The wear-resistance correlates well with the ratio of the volume fraction of tungsten carbide to that of graphite (WC/graphite); there is a minimum in weight loss at a ratio near unity. This effect is explained in terms of powder coating with graphite during blending, which affects grain-boundary formation and grain growth during sintering; supporting metallographic evidence is given. The wear-debris particle size produced is related to wear; the wear rate increases with increasing particle size. Residual porosity in the materials reduces wear-resistance. The wear rate does not correlate with hardness or coefficient of friction; the results of wear tests in oil or water are very similar to those for tests run in air.