Synergetic lubricating effect of MoS2 and Ti3SiC2 on tribological properties of NiAl matrix self-lubricating composites over a wide temperature range

NiAl matrix self-lubricating composites with MoS2 and Ti3SiC2 lubricants were prepared by spark plasma sintering. The tribological behaviors of the NiAl-Ti3SiC2-MoS2 composites against Si3N4 were investigated from room temperature to 800 degrees C. The results showed that the composites exhibited excellent self-lubricating and anti-wear properties over a wide temperature range. At 400 degrees C, the composites containing 5Ti(3)SiC(2)-5MoS(2) (wt.%) had a very low friction coefficient of about 0.13 and a low wear rate of 4.5 x 10 (5) mm(3) N (1) m (1). MoS2 played the main role of lubrication at low temperatures, while Ti3SiC2 was responsible for low friction at high temperatures. Ti3SiC2 and MoS2 lubricants in the NiAl-Ti3SiC2-MoS2 composites showed the excellent synergetic lubricating effect over a wide temperature range from room temperature to 800 degrees C. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.