Limitations on the use of ceramics in unlubricated sliding applications due to transfer layer formation

Peter Andersson, Kenneth Holmberg

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    45 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The tribological mechanisms in contacts with alumina (Al2O3), partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ), silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) sliding unlubricated on steel and on themselves were studied with a pin-on-disc apparatus at a 10 N normal load and a 0.2 m s−1 sliding velocity. Of the material combinations investigated, only alumina and silicon carbide against themselves and possibly silicon carbide against steel are applicable in continuously operating unlubricated sliding contacts. Strong formation of tribological transfer layers occurred in most of the material combinations studied, the direction of the materials transfer being governed by the thermal, chemical and mechanical conditions in the sliding interface. The transfer direction was material-dependent when ferrous material was transferred from steel to alumina and when silicon-based material was transferred from silicon carbide and silicon nitride to steel. With PSZ and steel the transfer layer formation was geometry-dependent, the material mainstream being from the pin to the disc.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-8
    Number of pages8
    JournalWear
    Volume175
    Issue number1-2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1994
    MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

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