How impregnation can modify tribological performances of a pair of rings in silicon carbide and carbon-graphite during dry sliding

Tribological behavior of silicon carbide (SiC) had been intensively studied in lubricated condition. However, in dry sliding condition, the degradation of a pair of SiC rings became catastrophic [1-2]. To avoid this impracticable situation, we selected two candidates for the replacement of one counter-face with impregnated carbon-graphite (CG) ring. In this study, we had examined the effect of the antimony and PTFE impregnation in CG rings. SEM coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy were used to identify the chemical composition of tribofilm, show the evolution of the particle size and the evolution of the mechanical stress at the surface of the rings.