The tribological performance of copper-based powder metallurgical material is much influenced by the interfacial bonding between the components and matrix. By adding Cu-coated or uncoated graphite particles as a lubricant, two types of copper-based powder metallurgical materials were prepared via spark plasma sintering (SPS). The hardness, relative density, and thermal conductivity of the two specimens were firstly measured. Using an inertial braking test bench and temperature measuring instrument, the average friction coefficients, instantaneous friction coefficients, and friction temperatures of the two specimens were tested under different test conditions, and the wear rates were calculated accordingly. Based on the analysis of surface morphologies and elements distribution after the tests, the mechanisms of wear and formation of friction films were discussed. The results show that with the lubricant of Cu-coated graphite, the hardness, relative density, thermal conductivity, and interfacial bonding between the graphite and matrix can be greatly improved. Under the same test condition, the average friction coefficient, wear rate, and friction temperature of the specimen with added Cu-coated graphite are both lower than those of the specimen with added uncoated graphite. The two specimens show different variation trends in the instantaneous friction coefficient during the tests, and the variation of the instantaneous friction coefficient at a high initial test speed is also different from that at a low initial test speed for each specimen. The two specimens also show differences in the continuity of friction film and the content of graphite and oxide in the friction film.

Surface roughness plays a crucial role in determining surface quality, influencing factors such as vibration, noise, assembly precision, lubrication, and wear resistance in bearings. This research examines how surface roughness (Sa) affects the friction and wear characteristics of GCr15 steel under conditions with adequate oil lubrication while varying the applied load. The findings indicate that with an increase in Sa, the friction coefficient of GCr15 steel also increases. As the load rises from 15 N to 35 N, the friction coefficient remains relatively constant. However, higher loads lead to more severe wear of the microprotrusions on the surface of GCr15 steel. The wear area first decreases and then increases as Sa increases. The minimum wear area occurs when Sa is 0.5 μm. Additionally, a back propagation neural network (BPNN) model has been developed to predict the wear performance of GCr15 steel. Validation experiments show that the average prediction error for the BPNN model is 10.64%.

The impacts of rolling temperature on phase transformations and mechanical properties were investigated for AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel subjected to rolling at cryogenic and room temperatures. The microstructure evolution and the mechanical properties were investigated by means of optical, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, an X-ray diffractometer, microhardness tester, and tensile testing system. Results showed that strain-induced martensitic transformation occurred at both deformation temperatures, and the martensite volume fraction increased with the deformation. Compared with room temperature rolling, cryorolling substantially enhanced the martensite transformation rate. At 50% deformation, it yielded the same fraction as the room temperature counterpart at 90% strain, while at 70%, it totally transformed the austenite to martensite. The strength and hardness of the stainless steel increased remarkably with the deformation, but the corresponding elongation decreased dramatically. Meanwhile, the tensile fracture morphology changed from a typical ductile rupture to a mixture of ductile and quasi-cleavage fracture. The phase transformation and deformation mechanisms differed at two temperatures, with the martensite deformation contributing to the former, and austenite deformation to the latter. Orientations between the transformed martensite and its parent phase followed the K–S (Kurdjumov–Sachs) relationship.