Wear tests of grey cast iron against ceramics

Abstract

The rolling wear of grey cast iron, partially stabilized zirconia, SiC and Si 3N 4 against themselves in unlubricated contact was performed at room temperature. The wear behaviour of grey cast iron against each of the above ceramics was also examined, both unlubricated and lubricated with methanol at room temperature. It was found that the wear life, defined as the onset of severe wear, was highest for the wear of silicon carbide against itself and was approximately ten times that compared with the other materials in this study. The hardness of the ceramics had a strong influence on the wear of grey cast iron in unlubricated contact. The thermal conductivity of the ceramics also influenced the wear of grey cast iron in combination with ceramics when lubricated with methanol.