Abstract:Cu-based powder metallurgy brake materials are used for aircraft widely and successfully. The characteristics of worn surface of Cu-based powder metallurgy brake materials for aircraft after working under service condition were studied, and two main wear mechanisms were discussed. The results show that the main components of worn surface are graphite, SiO2, Fe, Cu and oxide of Fe (Fe3O4 and FeO); the worn surface can be divided into three zones: severe wear zone, mild wear zone, and low wear zone; fatigue wear and grain wear are the main wear mechanisms of Cu-based materials. Some debris kept between brake discs reduce the wear rate to a certain extent by taking part in the regeneration of friction film.

Key words: powder metallurgy brake materials; wear; copper matrix; aircraft; worn surface