Friction and Wear Properties of Carbon/Carbon Composites

Abstract

Carbon-based materials are widely used in wear related applications, e.g., bearings, seals, and electrical brushes. The development of carbon/carbon composites with superior mechanical properties has opened up a new field of application for carbon materials in the wear domain, i.e., brake applications. The function of the brake is essentially controlled by its ability to absorb energy in the form of heat. Therefore, the thermal characteristics of candidate brake materials are of major importance. In particular, a potential high-performance brake material must have a high specific heat, a high melting point, and adequate mechanical properties at elevated temperature. Conventional monolithic graphite exhibits attractive thermal and physical characteristics. Since carbon materials obtained through different routes differ in the arrangement of hexagonal layers and, hence, in the interlayer cohesive energy, these materials accordingly vary in friction and wear characteristics. The friction and wear characteristics of different types of carbons have been studied in detail [1–4].