Abstract:Copperbased friction materials containing rare earth La were prepared by powder metallurgy method,and the effects of La content on friction and wear properties of copper matrix composite prepared by powder metallurgy method were investigated.The results demonstrate that,with the increasing of La content,the hardness of Cubased friction materials is increased,the compressive strength is increased at the beginning and then decreased,the friction coefficient is increased and the wear extent of the materials is decreased firstly and then increased.The Cubased friction materials with 15% weight content of rare earth element La have the best mechanical and friction properties.Rare earth La can refine the grains of Cubased friction materials,make the coating microstructure more compact and denser,increase the stability of oxidation films on worn surfaces,produce the effect of dispersion strengthening and solid solution strengthening and enhance the mechanical and friction properties of Cubased friction materials.