Investigation on microstructure and wear behavior of the NiAl–TiC–Al2O3 composite fabricated by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis with extrusion

Abstract

NiAl–TiC–Al2O3 composite was fabricated by self-propagation high-temperature synthesis with extrusion technique. Its microstructure, compressive properties and wear behavior at 873, 973, 1073 and 1173K were investigated. The results reveal that the NiAl–TiC–Al2O3 composite exhibits self-lubricating behavior and excellent wear resistance properties at 973K, which should be ascribed to the lubricant film formed on the surfaces of the NiAl–TiC–Al2O3 composite and SiC friction pair during the sliding wear test. TEM observation shows that the lubricant film is composed of amorphous and NiO and Al2O3 nanoparticles, while the matrix adjacent to the lubricant film mainly contains NiAl and Ni3Al nanocrystalline. While at 873, 1073 and 1173K, lubricant film on the composite surface is spalled partly or greatly, which results in the increase of the friction coefficient and the wear rate. In summary, the NiAl–TiC–Al2O3 composite could form the lubricant film at high temperature and possess good wear resistance.