Tribological and Mechanical Properties of Materials for Friction Pairs Used to Space Docking

The microstructures and tribological properties of materials for friction pairs used to space docking were investigated by optical metallographic microscope and a special home-made tribo-tester, respectively. The results demonstrate that friction material appears homogeneous and compact microstructure. Counterpart material presents temper sorbite which keeps martensite morphology and residues a small amount of blocky undissolved ferrite; the porosity of friction material is about 3.7%. Materials for space docking show favorable rigidity; during running-in, friction torque of friction pairs can be enhanced obviously; under different operation conditions, friction pairs for space docking possesses different friction coefficient.