Enhancing the tribological properties of NiAl based nano-composites for aerospace bearing applications

The present work aims to extend the use of NiAl based nano-composites at different sliding conditions for aerospace bearing systems. A hybrid lubricant of V₂O₅ nano-wires and graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) has been used. NiAl + 5 wt% V₂O₅ nano-wires (NV) and NiAl + 5 wt% + 1.5 wt% GNPs (NVG) nano composites have been fabricated and tested. NVG nano-composites showed superior wear resistance at different sliding speeds at RT due to the self -healing properties of GNPs. Furthermore, NVG nano-composites exhibited reasonable wear characteristics at extreme temperatures. NV nano-composites showed better wear resistance at temperatures higher than 600 °C in the comparison to NVG nano composites. This behavior was attributed to the formation of an abrasive phase of carbides on the contact surface of NVG nano-composites at elevated temperatures. (paper)