Some tribological properties of a carbon-derived Si 3N 4/SiC nanocomposite

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society Vol. 24; no. 12; pp. 3431 - 3435
• Main Authors: Kašiarová, M., Rudnayová, E., Dusza, J., Hnatko, M., Šajgalı́k, P., Merstallinger, A., Kuzsella, L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2004
• Subjects: Friction coefficient; Nanocomposites; Si 3N 4; SiC; Wear resistance; Nanocomposites; Si 3N 4; Friction coefficient; Wear resistance; SiC
• ISSN: 0955-2219; 1873-619X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2003.10.029

Some tribological properties of a recently developed carbon derived Si 3N 4/SiC nanocomposite have been investigated in the contribution. The material was tested in the pin-on-disc configuration, with Si 3N 4 and diamond pins, under unlubricated sliding conditions. The investigated variables were load, sliding distance, and humidity. The measured friction coefficients at 50% humidity and by using a Si 3N 4 pin were in the range of 0.6–0.7 and 0.05–0.07 when using a diamond pin. The value of this coefficient in vacuum was of about 0.6. A reduction of humidity resulted in lower friction coefficients, but the wear resistance in vacuum was significantly lower than that in air. Increasing the testing temperature (up to 500 °C) increased both, the friction and wear coefficient values. The wear patterns on the Si 3N 4+SiC disc in the pin-on-disc test with Si 3N 4 ball revealed presence of the tribochemical reaction layers formed by SiO 2. Mechanical fracture was the wear controlling mechanism in all tested conditions.