Tribological Performance of NiAl Self-lubricating Matrix Composite with Addition of Graphene at Different Loads

This research was carried out on the beneficial effect of graphene additive in self-lubricating composites for use at different loads of tribological application. The dry friction and wear behaviors of NiAl self-lubricating matrix composite with graphene (NSMG) were investigated at different loads at room temperature. Finite element method served as aided method to analyze the stress condition of contact pair, which would provide another perspective to comprehend the relationship between tribological behaviors and different degrees of load-induced deformation. In the load range of 2-16 N, the results indicated that NSMG showed excellent tribological performance at load of 16 N due to the formation of anti-friction tribo-film on the worn surface. Moreover, suitable load would lead to the contact situation transfer from multi-point contact to area contact, which could contribute to the beneficial effect on friction behavior of NSMG.