A Simple Way to Prepare Silicon Carbide Reinforced Graphite Composite Lubricating Materials

SiC reinforced graphite composites were prepared via introducing carbide silicon into the natural graphite flakes(NGF) by hot-pressing process. Their physical and mechanical properties, including density, open porosity, flexural strength, and friction behavior were investigated. The addition of 30vol% Si C increased the bending strength of composites materials to 127 MPa, 2 times higher than 60 MPa of commercial pure graphite block. What was particularly interesting was that the as-obtained graphite composite with 30vol% Si C kept the same low friction coefficient of about 0.1 as pure graphite, and the wear resistance of composites increased.