CORRELATION BETWEEN THE TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF GRAPHITE AND ITS MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES VERSUS THE INTERPLAN DISTANCE

Lamellar materials as graphite are used in several technological field s. Because of its anisotropic properties, graphite is a good material of friction. Its covalent properties prevent jamming in a sliding cont act and its lamellar aspect reduces shear strain. However, depending o n the environment around the contact, its friction coefficient values range between 0.02 and 0.6 and specific wear varies in a ratio of 1000 . This behaviour can be correlated to the crystal parameters variation (distance between basal plans) of the material. From a compilation of our experimental results, obtained on graphite under different enviro nments, we suggest a correlation between the elastic constants of the material considered like a composite material and its tribological beh aviour.