Tribological properties of iron-based bearing materials prepared through FeS surface modification

Iron-base bearing materials were prepared by powder metallurgy, using Fe and C powders as raw materials, FeS and nickel-plated FeS as solid lubricants, respectively. The effects of FeS and nickel-plated FeS on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological properties of iron-based bearing materials were investigated. The results show that the tribological properties of iron-based bearing materials added with FeS are improved, but the interface bonding between FeS and iron-based materials is poor, and it is easy to agglomerate and fall off, which reduces the mechanical properties of iron-based materials and is not conducive to the improvement of anti-friction and wear resistance of the materials. FeS surface modification enhances the interfacial bonding between FeS and matrix, and the density and hardness of the materials are improved. When the 8% nickel-plated FeS (mass fraction) is added, the mechanical properties of the prepared iron-based bearing materials are optimal. Under the dry friction conditions, with the increase of load, the friction coefficient of the iron-based bearing materials containing nickel-plated FeS decreases slightly, the wear amount increases relatively slowly, and the wear surface is enriched with FeS. There are only slight furrows, the transfer film on the surface of the dual parts is highly covered, and the continuity is good. The materials show the good antifriction and wear resistance.