Process for producing dense, self-sintered silicon carbide/carbon- graphite composites

摘要

A dense, self-sintered silicon carbide/carbon-graphite composite material and a process for producing the composite material. The composite material includes a silicon carbide matrix, between 2 and 30 percent by weight carbon-graphite, and small amounts of sintering aids such as boron and free carbon. The silicon carbide has an average grain size between 2 and 15 &mgr;m, and the carbon-graphite has an average grain size between 10 and 75 &mgr;m, the average grain size of the carbon- graphite being greater than the average grain size of the silicon carbide. The composite material has a density of at least 80 percent of theoretical density as determined by the rule of mixtures for a composite material. This density is achieved with minimal microcracking at a high graphite loading with large graphite particles. The composite material exhibits good lubricity and wear characteristics, resulting in improved tribological performance. The process for producing the composite material uses a carbon-bonded graphite including at least 5 percent by weight carbon-precursor binder.