Effect of Surface Texturing on Friction Transition of C/C Composite Material

Abstract

Carbon-carbon (C/C) composites are widely used as sliding materials owing to their excellent mechanical properties. However, it is well known that the C/C composites exhibit an unstable frictional behavior called the friction transition, the main mechanism of which remains unclear. In this study we focused on the mechanism of the friction transition by examining the morphology of wear debris obtained using a thrust-cylinder-type tribotester. Moreover, to improve the tribological properties of C/C composites, we discussed the effect of surface texturing. The sliding results suggested that agglomeration of wear debris caused the friction transition. Furthermore, the friction transition was prevented by the effects of surface texturing.