Friction and Wear Properties of α-Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-Coated SiC Particle Reinforced Nickel Matrix Composites Sliding against Bearing Steel

Abstract

In this study, attempt has been made to investigate the effect of SiC particles on the friction and wear properties of Ni/SiC composites manufactured by electrodeposition, especially for the composites with high-temperature treatment.For this purpose, α-Al2O3 was coated on the surfaces of SiC particles by sol-gel technology to inhibit interfacial reaction of SiC and nickel at high temperature. Both of the Ni/α-Al2O3-coated SiC (Ni/CSp) and Ni/uncoated SiC (Ni/UCSp) composites were treated at 600 °C to study the resulting wear behaviour. The results indicated that with heat treatment at 600 °C, the Ni/CSp composite had better tribological properties than the Ni/UCSp composite. It was proved that the uncoated SiC particles have reacted completely with nickel leaving many defects, while the coated SiC particles still remained in the Ni/CSp composite hardening the nickel matrix and supporting the counterpart, thus improving the wear resistance of Ni/CSp composite with relatively low friction coefficient and wear mass loss compared to the Ni/UCSp composite.