The bronze–silver self-lubricating composite under sea water condition

The bronze–silver self-lubricating composites were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique (P/M). The tribological properties of composites sliding against AISI321 stainless steel were studied by a pin-on-disc tribotester in sea water. The silver showed the good lubricating effect in sea water because the silver formed a lubricating film on the worn surface. Although the compactness and mechanical strength of bronze–silver composites decreased due to the addition of silver, the composites showed much better tribological properties as compared with unreinforced bronze in sea water. The composite containing 7 wt% Ag showed the best tribological properties due to the lubricating effect of silver in sea water. The sea water had corrosive effect and lubricating effect during the sliding process.

► The silver is an effective solid lubricant under sea water condition.
► The silver can form a lubricating film on the worn surface in sea water.
► The bronze 663–667 wt% Ag composite shows the best tribological properties.
► The sea water shows the lubricating effect during the sliding process.