Diamond-dispersed fiber-reinforced composite for superior friction and wear properties in extreme environments and method for fabricating the same
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsKenneth Street, Oleg A Voronov, Bernard H Kear
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Abstract
Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture related to composite materials are discussed herein. These materials can be based on a mixture of diamond particles with a matrix and fibers or fabrics. The matrix can be formed into the composite material through optional pressurization and via heat treatment. These materials display exceptionally low friction coefficient and superior wear resistance in extreme environments.
Claims13
A composite material, comprising:
- a mixture, comprising:
- a plurality of diamond particles between and including 600 to 1000 microns in size;
- a fabric compound of a plurality of fibers or wires;
- and
- an organic epoxy matrix,
- wherein prior to being hardened, the mixture is compressed under a pressure including and between ambient (0.1 MPa) and 99 MPa;
- and
- wherein the mixture is hardened at a temperature including and between room temperature and 200° C. for a predetermined time wherein the material has a sliding friction coefficient less than 0.1 in air, less than 0.2 in vacuum, less than 0.2 in vacuum at cryogenic temperature and less than 0.2 in low pressure carbon dioxide environments.
A method of fabricating a composite material, comprising:
- preparing a mixture comprising diamond particles between and including 600 to 1000 microns in size, an organic epoxy matrix, and a fabric comprised of a plurality of fibers or wires;
- forming the mixture into a position;
- compressing the mixture, prior to hardening, under a pressure including and between ambient (0.1 MPa) and 99 MPa;
- and
- hardening the mixture to form the composite material, wherein hardening the mixture comprises hardening the mixture at a temperature including and between room temperature and 200° C. for a predetermined holding time, wherein the material has a sliding friction coefficient less than 0.1 in air, less than 0.2 in vacuum, less than 0.2 in vacuum at cryogenic temperature and less than 0.2 in low pressure carbon dioxide environments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.