SOLID LUBRICATING, HARD AND FRACTURE RESISTANT COMPOSITES FOR SURFACE ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

摘要

A method and composition for producing a monolithic hybrid composite consisting of a composite matrix, a reinforcement phase, and a solid/self-lubrication phase. The composition may comprise a graphite (“C”) phase and a titanium carbide (“TiC”) phase in a nickel (“Ni”) matrix. The process may include the step of blending pure Ni and pure titanium (“Ti”) powders with Ni-coated graphite powder using Laser Engineered Net Shaping (“LENS”). The novel composite, when achieved with an optimum chemical and structural phase ratio, exhibits a balance of high hardness, fracture toughness, and low friction/wear,