Dry friction and wear characteristics of impregnated graphite in a corrosive environment

Tribological properties of impregnated graphite are greatly influenced by preparation technology and working conditions and it's highly susceptible to corrosion environmental impacts, but the experimental research about it are few. In this paper, three kinds of impregnated graphite samples are prepared with different degree of graphitization, the tribological properties of these samples in the dry friction environment and in a corrosive environment are analyzed and contrasted. The tribo-test results show that the friction coefficient of samples is reduced and the amount of wear of samples increase when the graphitization degree of samples increases in dry friction condition. While in a corrosive environment (samples are soaked N₂O₄), the friction coefficient and amount of wear are changed little if the graphitization degree of samples are low. If the degree of graphitization increase, the friction coefficient and amount of wear of samples increase too, the amount of wear is 2 to 3 times as the samples tested in the non-corrosive environment under pv value of 30 MPa ·m/s. The impregnated graphite, which friction coefficient is stable and graphitization degree is in mid level, such #2, is more appropriate to have a work in the corrosion conditions. In this paper, preparation and tribological properties especially in corrosive environment of the impregnated graphite is studied, the research conclusion can provide an experimental and theoretical basis for the selection and process improvement of graphite materials, and also provide some important design parameters for contact seal works in a corrosive environment.