Tribomechanical Behaviour of Non-oxide Ceramic Matrix Composites in Dry Sliding

Abstract

Non-oxide ceramics have been widely used in many tribological applications under a wide range of operating conditions over many decades. Nevertheless, a comprehensive review of tribomechanical characteristics of such potential ceramics relating to modern trends is not articulated anywhere before. Therefore, this chapter reviews studies regarding the tribological and mechanical performance of non-oxide based ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) carried out by various researchers. This work concerns only the tribological investigation of the ceramic composite in dry sliding/erosive condition and hence the characteristics under liquid lubricant or any other liquid medium is beyond the scope of this writing. Widely used boride, carbide and nitride based ceramics are considered as the matrix phase for these ceramic composites. The tribological and mechanical effects of reinforcements and dopants, such as hard or soft nano-micro particles (SiC, ZrC, B4C, WC, hBN, graphene etc.), nanowire/nanotube/fibre (SiC/CNTs/Cf etc.) and some rare earth compounds (Sm2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Nd2O3, Yb2O3, Lu2O3 etc.) into the non-oxide based ceramic composites are described under sliding conditions from room temperature to elevated temperature. In addition to this, the key applications of such composites in a wide range of operating conditions are discussed. This chapter also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of this class of ceramic matrix composites.