Abstract
The tribological behaviour of aluminium alloy 2014-graphite particle composites has been found to be a function of the volume fraction of graphite particles. The wear resistance can be improved by the addition of graphite, which causes a corresponding reduction in the coefficient of friction, reaching about half that of the base alloy when the volume fraction of graphite particles reaches 50 vol.%. The reduction in friction and wear of this group of aluminium-graphite composites is a result of the smearing of the embedded graphite particles during sliding, forming a lubricating film on both the tribosurface of the composite sample and the steel counterface.