Effect of Nickel Silicide Content on the Friction Properties of Wet Sintered Friction Material

Abstract

The effect of nickel silicide on the friction properties of Cu-based wet sintered friction materials was investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties of nickel silicide added Cu-based wet sintered friction materials were examined. Nickel silicide was prepared by mechanically alloying Ni and Si powder. Three types of Cu-based wet sintered friction materials with different nickel silicide contents (0 wt%, 5 wt%, 10 wt%) were fabricated by the powder metallurgy route. The phase transformation of Ni2Si to Ni31Si12 was observed in nickel silicide after a sintering process. The friction coefficient and wear rate decreased with increasing nickel silicide content. The wear scar changed from ploughing to micro-cutting with increasing nickel silicide content. As a result, it is suggested that nickel silicide can be used as a friction modifier when added to Cu-based wet sintered friction materials.