The friction and wear of electroless Ni-P matrix with PTFE and/or SiC particles composite

In this paper, the friction behaviour and wear mechanism of electroless Ni-P matrix with PTFE and/or SiC particles composite coating are investigated by virtue of ring-on-disk wear machine at a high load of 150 N. The worn surface, wear debris and the composition changes after wear were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX). By comparison with Ni-P and Ni-P-SiC coatings, the results indicated that the combination of a PTFE-rich mechanical mixed layer (PRMML) formed on the worn surface and hard SiC were responsible for the good tribological properties of the hybrid Ni-P-PTFE-SiC composites at high load. After heat treatment at 400 degrees C for 1h, the wear rate of Ni-P matrix composites decreased with corresponding increase in microhardness. During sliding, an obvious decrease in the temperature rise with PTFE addition was attributed to the good anti-friction of PTFE. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.