Effects of Cr3C2 content and temperature on sliding friction and wear behaviors of Cr3C2/Ni3Al composite materials

Abstract

Chromium carbide (Cr3C2)-reinforced Ni3Al matrix composites, which possess excellent high-temperature strength and wear resistance, are considered as potential high-temperature wear-resistant materials. In this study, effects of Cr3C2 content on the friction and wear properties of Cr3C2/Ni3Al composites and their counterpart gray cast iron disks were investigated at different temperatures. The worn surface morphologies of the Cr3C2/Ni3Al composites and gray cast iron disks were analyzed to understand their wear mechanisms. The analysis results showed that in the Ni3Al matrix composites, a combination of abrasive wear and adhesive wear occurred at room temperature, whereas adhesive wear was severer at 200 °C. Furthermore, the optimum Cr3C2 contents of the Cr3C2/Ni3Al composites were found to be 18 vol% and 12 vol% at room temperature and 200 °C, respectively. The volume loss of the composites increased with an increase in the fraction of the Cr3C2 strengthening phase at 350 °C. The wear resistance of the gray cast iron disks decreased with an increase in temperature. In contrast, the wear resistance of the Ni3Al matrix composites increased with an increase in temperature. This increased wear resistance of the composites is attributed to the transformation of their wear mechanism with increasing temperature.