Carbon fibre-reinforced (YMAS) glass-ceramic matrix composites: Dry friction behaviour

Unidirectional continuous carbon fibre-reinforced (YMAS) glass-ceramic matr ix composites have been fabricated for dry friction applications. Pitch-bas ed fibres (P55) and PAN-based fibres (T400H and M40) were used. Friction an d wear tests were carried out using a disc-on-disc tribometer. The tribolog ical behaviour of carbon fibre-reinforced (YMAS) glass-ceramic matrix compo sites is mainly linked to the fragility of the matrix and to the microcrack ing induced during preparation of these composites. The fibre graphitizatio n rate does not seem to influence the tribological behaviour of carbon-fibr e M40-reinforced glass-ceramic matrix composites. The mechanisms of formati on of the third body are associated with the fragmentation of the matrix an d fibres. A velocity accommodation mechanism occurs by shearing of the pres sed powder bed in zones of lift. This study has shown the potential of carb on fibre-reinforced (YMAS) glass-ceramic matrix composites in dry friction, notably with regard to the low wear rate. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Limite d. All rights reserved.