Tribological Study of Selected Ceramics versus Metal Sliding Couples

A Tribological study has been dorse with dry and lubricated conditions on the several selected sliding couples of ceramics vs. ceramics ceramics vs. metal and ceramics vs. plasma sprayed metal. Sliding velocity was 2.6m/s (8.5ft/s), load was 22N and temperature was room temperature to 540° C (1000°F).

No significant wear was observed on any sliding couples when they were lubricated.

A considerably better tribological character was found in the ceramics vs. metal couple with dry condition. Especially sintered sillicon nitride (SSN) vs. LiF+Cu plasma sprayed M2 steel at room temperature to 540° C and SSN vs. M2 steel couple at 540° C were remarkable.

It is considered that the tribological character between ceramics and metal contact may be controlled by adhesion of metal to ceramics.