Graphite-Resin Sliding Material Seizure Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing graphite-added resin sliding materials face issues with non-ideal graphite orientation, leading to compromised seizure resistance and surface roughness due to brittle graphite particles breaking during machining, which impairs seizure resistance.

Innovation Solution

A sliding material comprising 5-60% graphite with an average particle diameter of 5-50 µm, a degree of graphitization of 0.6 or more, and a high particle ratio, resulting in almost spherical graphite particles that are uniformly dispersed and non-oriented, enhancing seizure resistance and lubrication properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flaky or scale-form graphite is used to reduce coefficient of friction, then lubrication performance is improved, but seizure resistance deteriorates due to graphite particles breaking during machining

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseizure resistanceVSAvoidsurface roughness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spheroidality by transforming flaky graphite into spherical graphite particles with a diameter of 0.01 to 10 μm. This spherical shape prevents the orientation and cleavage issues inherent in flaky graphite, eliminating surface roughness generation during machining while maintaining low friction coefficients and high seizure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of graphite to 0.01 to 10 μm spherical particles, which fundamentally alters the mechanical behavior during machining. The fine spherical particles do not break into flakes during machining, thereby preventing surface roughness while maintaining lubrication properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If graphite content is increased to improve lubrication, then coefficient of friction is reduced, but bonding strength is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication performanceVSAvoidbonding strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the graphite content parameter to a specific range of 5 to 60 wt%, with a preferred range of 10 to 50 wt%. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient graphite is present for lubrication while maintaining adequate bonding strength. The spherical morphology and fine particle size (0.01 to 10 μm) further enhance dispersion and bonding characteristics within this composition range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by using spherical graphite particles with diameter of 0.01 to 10 μm that disperse uniformly throughout the resin matrix. This uniform local distribution ensures consistent lubrication performance throughout the material while maintaining homogeneous bonding characteristics, avoiding local weaknesses that would occur with aggregated or irregularly shaped graphite.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If coarse graphite is used to maintain mechanical properties, then strength is preserved, but sliding properties are impaired due to reduced exposed area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoidsliding properties
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies spheroidality by using spherical graphite particles instead of coarse irregular particles. The spherical shape with diameter of 0.01 to 10 μm provides a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, maximizing the exposed graphite surface area for lubrication while maintaining mechanical integrity. This contrasts with coarse particles that have lower surface area exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from considering only particle size (one dimension) to considering both particle size (0.01 to 10 μm) and particle morphology (spherical shape). This dimensional change in particle characterization enables simultaneous optimization of mechanical properties and sliding properties by creating fine spherical particles that provide both strength and high surface area for lubrication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides improved seizure resistance and reduced surface roughness by ensuring stable graphite cleavage and uniform dispersion, maintaining excellent lubrication properties while preventing graphite separation during machining.

Implementation Method 1

Graphite bonded with polyimide or polyamide-imide mainly imparts improved friction characteristics to the sliding material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

The graphite having the plane distance mentioned above is liable to cleave at intervals of the distances mentioned above

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCleavage: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentEP2557125B1Sliding material based on graphite-containing resin, and sliding member
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 TAIHO KOGYO CO LTD
  • EP2557125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2557125B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Task] Seizure resistance of sliding material based on graphite-added resin is improved. [Means for Solution] A sliding material based on graphite-added resin has composition (1); graphite: average particle diameter of from 5 to 50 µm, a degree of graphitization of 0.6 or more, the number of graphite particles having a minimum diameter/maximum diameter ratio of 0.5 or more amounts to 50% or more of the total number of the graphite particles observed in a photograph of an optional cross section, content 5 to 60% by weight, as well as composition (2). balance of polyimide resin and/or polyamide-imide resin.