Influence of the Thermal Expansion of Carbon–Carbon Composites on Their Tribological Stability

The influence of the thermal expansion of carbon–carbon composite disks on their tribological stability in a frictional pair with an annular ceramic counterbody is studied theoretically and experimentally. The thermal characteristics of composites with fibrous and fabric structure are investigated. Experimental time dependences of the load in frictional heating are compared with a model corresponding to the mechanics of contact interaction. The relation between the rigidity of the interface and the temperature dependence of the thermal expansion coefficient is determined for various materials. In the initial stage, wear of the fabric composite is found to be nonuniform, with destruction of fabric layers and breakaway of structural components.