Friction and wear behaviors of Al2O3/TiC micro-nano-composite ceramic sliding against metals and hard materials

Abstract

An Al2O3-based micro-nano-composite ceramic tool material was fabricated by hot pressing. The tribological behaviors and wear mechanisms sliding against metals (stainless steel, chrome steel) and hard materials (cemented carbide, Si3N4) were studied. When sliding against stainless steel, the friction coefficient was the smallest but the wear rate was the largest. The smallest friction coefficient was due to the metal adhesion layer, which was formed by the chemical reaction between iron oxides and Al2O3. The rough wear surface and lack of metal adhesion layer should be responsible for the high friction coefficient in the case of sliding against hard materials. The primary wear mechanism of Al2O3/TiC composite ceramic sliding against stainless steel was adhesion, while abrasion and chipping were considered to be the main wear mechanisms in the case of sliding against chrome, cemented carbide and Si3N4.