Metal-reinforced carbon composites

Exceptionally good friction and wear measurements are reported by permission of four national laboratories for materials designated MRCC (metal reinforced carbon composites). These versatile materials are made from a low-wear, non-graphitic carbon matrix with metal-fiber reinforcement. Counterfaces include austenitic and martensitic stainless steels as well as silicon nitride and alumina. The effects of high load, high temperature, and gaseous environments are reported. The principal findings are: (1) Removal of humidity and atmospheric oxygen have little effect on friction and wear for MRCC sliding against a ceramic and a stainless steel. (2) Wear of aluminum oxide riders on MRCC is exceptionally low and not significantly affected by a broad range of contact loads. (3) Elevation of temperature to 260{degrees}C does not degrade the performance of 440-C riders on MRCC disks or raise friction significantly. In small or large sizes the metal reinforced material is made in a single-pass process for approximately the same volume cost as cast iron. It is not limited by the diffusion processes characteristic of chemical vapor deposition. It is sufficiently rugged to survive heating in nitrogen well above the melting point of the fibers (1600{degrees}C) without loss of integrity or a major change of dimensions. 4 refs.,more » 5 figs., 4 tabs.« less