Tribological behavior and self-healing functionality of M50 material covered with surface micropores filled with Sn-Ag-Cu

M50 steel is the main material used in aircraft bearings, and its friction performance will directly affect the reliability and service life of the whole bearing. Hence, this paper focuses on the tribological behavior and self-healing function of as-prepared M50 steel-based self-lubricating material covered with surface micropores filled with Sn-Ag-Cu (MMSAC). Friction results show that MMSAC exhibits the distinguished tribological behavior. Analysis indicates that this is mainly due to the lubricating film formed on the worn surface and the self-healing behavior on the worn surface of MMSAC. Sn-Ag-Cu in micropores can precipitate onto the friction surface to form the lubricating film, while the volume expansion caused by the oxidation of Sn and Cu plays an important role in filling cracks.