Influence of different iron powders on the friction properties of sintered friction materials based on iron

Abstract

The possibility of using iron powders of different morphological, chemical and physical properties as the bases of the metal matrix of the friction layer in sintered friction materials for dry friction under severe braking conditions was investigated. Sintered friction materials, based on sponge iron powder and on iron powder with a fiber-like structure were examined. The influence of the used iron powders on the characteristic of the sintered friction materials was monitored by microstructural analysis and investigation of the frictional characteristics. The experimental results obtained by measuring the coefficient of friction (μ) and wear (UM), were evaluated by means of a mathematical-statistical method. By comparing the mean values of μ and UM for the friction materials based on the two investigated iron powders, it was confirmed that each of these characteristics lies within the expected interval of required values.