Effect of Lubricating Phase on Microstructure and Properties of Cu–Fe Friction Materials

Cu–Fe-based friction materials with flake graphite, granulated carbon black, and high-strength graphite as lubricating phase were prepared by the powder metallurgy method. The effects of different types and mass fraction of lubricating phase on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological properties were investigated. The results show that when the mass fraction of granulated carbon black is 5 wt%, it is easy to form a good interface with the matrix, but the interface is prone to pores and cracks when its mass fraction is 10 wt%. The bending strength and compressive strength properties of the composites increased with increasing in the mass fraction of granulated carbon black and reached the maximum of 40 MPa and 70 MPa at 5 wt% granulated carbon black, after which bending strength and compressive strength all decreased. The friction coefficient and the wear loss of the materials initially decreased as the mass fraction of granulated carbon black increased and obtained minimum of 0.436 and 0.145 mm when the mass fraction of granulated carbon black was 5 wt%, then ascended. Compared with the sample with 5 wt% high-strength graphite as lubricating phase, the sample with 5 wt% granulated carbon black as lubricating phase had better sintering performance, mechanical properties, and tribological properties.