Abrasive wear in ceramic laminated composites

Laminated ceramic structures in the system Al₂O₃/Al₂O₃ + 3Y-TZP (A/AZ) were prepared using a tape casting technique in order to obtain ceramic layers with different compositions and thicknesses. Piezo-spectroscopy was used to evaluate the residual stresses arisen from a calibrated mismatch in thermal expansion coefficients of the layers during the sintering process of the composite. The dependence of the residual stresses in the A and AZ layers on their thickness ratio was established. A microscale ball cratering method was used to investigate the influence that the surface compressive stress can play on the abrasive wear resistance of the composite structures. The results were compared with those obtained with an unstressed reference material prepared either by lamination of pure alumina green-sheets or by cold isostatic pressing of alumina powder. The experimental results have shown that the abrasive wear resistance is higher for samples with compressive residual stresses within the surface regions.     

Microstructure and abrasive wear resistance of cast Ni-Cr-C alloys

The abrasive wear behaviour of directionally solidified Ni-Cr-C alloys was investigated using a pin-type test. M₇C₃ carbide volume fractions (CVF) were varied from 0 to 40%. Two sets of alloys with different carbide and dendrite spacings were abraded with bonded SiC and corundum particles, varying the grit size and applied load. M₇C₃ carbides greatly improved the abrasive wear resistance against fine-grained SiC particles within the whole range of compositions. By refining the primary carbide structure in hypereutectic alloys, the wear resistance against coarse-grained SiC particles was also improved with increasing CVF although SiC is known to be much harder than M₇C₃. Coarse SiC abrasive particles had a detrimental effect on the wear resistance of all hypoeutectic alloys and, even more, of hypereutectic alloys if the primary carbides were coarse. In testing with corundum, the wear resistance always improved with increasing carbide volume fraction.Wear damage was arranged in three classes. First, SiC and corundum abrasives were partially broken from the substrate at the entrance edge of the specimen. The edges of SiC grains stayed sharp during the wear process whereas the edges of corundum particles were rounded or the corundum was crushed by M₇C₃ carbides. Secondly, damage in the wear surface occurred by fracturing of the edges of carbides facing the wear surface. In addition, SiC abrasives were able to groove carbides. Thirdly, coarse SiC grains transmitted shear stresses causing severe subsurface damage leading to microstructure disintegration and spalling of primary carbides. SiC transmitted larger shear stresses than corundum because the latter was separated by a thin layer of wear debris from the unworn material.The microstructural parameters influencing wear were CVF, size, morphology and distribution of carbides. Optimum wear resistance depended on the abrasive mineral. Alloys with high CVF and coarse primary carbides were best suited for wear with corundum whereas fine primary carbides were required to resist wear by SiC.     

Effects of vanadium and carbon on microstructures and abrasive wear resistance of high speed steel

The effects of vanadium and carbon on microstructures and abrasive wear resistance of high speed steel were studied. The results show that the microstructures are characterized by VC, M₇C₃ and Mo₂C in the martensite and austenite matrix. Typical morphologies of vanadium carbides are found to be spherical, lumpy, strip, and short rod. On the other hand, the vanadium carbides have three kinds of distributions, i.e. grain boundary, chrysanthemum-like, and homogeneous distributions. The abrasive wear resistance of high speed steel depends on the hardness and microstructures. When the hardness is lower than HRC58, the abrasive wear resistance of the high speed steel mainly depends on its hardness. But when the hardness is higher than HRC58, it mainly depends on the amount, morphology and distribution of VC in the matrix. Many spherical or lumpy VC carbides are obtained when vanadium and carbon content is up to 8.15–10.20 and 2.70–3.15%. The excellent abrasive wear resistance would be obtained if such VC carbides disperse uniformly in the hardened matrix of high speed steel after quenched at 1050 °C and tempered at 550 °C.     

Abrasive wear resistance of spheroidal vanadium carbide cast irons

The effect of the chemical composition and heat treatment on the microstructure and abrasive wear resistance of V-Mn, V-Ni-Cr, and V-Mo spheroidal vanadium carbide cast irons (18–23 vol %) has been studied. The wear resistance has been determined under conditions of wear by abrasives with various hardnesses, i.e., corundum and quartz and compared to that of high-chromium cast iron with 13% Cr. It has been found that the advisability of using high-vanadium cast irons is governed by the hardness of the abrasive. When a hard abrasive, i.e., corundum was used, V-Mo cast iron with the maximum concentration of spheroidal VC carbides, which were uniformly distributed in the martensitic matrix, had the highest wear resistance. When a soft abrasive, i.e., quartz, was applied, high-chromium cast iron with a hardness of 68 HRC, which contained the largest amount of M₇C₃ carbides, was more wear-resistant. In the course of isothermal exposure at 300–1000°C, V-Ni-Cr and V-Mo cast irons with an austenitic structure had high resistance to phase and structural transformations. However, the properties and microstructure of V-Mo cast irons with a martensitic matrix depended strongly on the temperature of exposure during heat treatment.     

Role of the strengthening phases in abrasive wear resistance of laser-clad NiCrBSi coatings

The influence of the strengthening phases on the tribological characteristics (wear intensity, specific work of wear, coefficient of friction) and the wear mechanisms in two-body abrasion tests with abrasives of different hardnesses (corundum Al₂O₃, ~2000 HV and silicon carbide SiC, ~3000 HV) has been investigated for PG-SR2 (Cr₂₃C₆, 1000–1150 HV), PG-10N-01 (Cr₇C₃, 1650–1800 HV; CrB, 1950–2400 HV), and 75% PG-SR2 + 25% TiC (TiC, 2500–2900 HV; (Cr,Ni)₂₃(C,B)₆ and (Ti,Cr)(C,B), ~2000 HV) coatings. The dominant role of the strengthening phases (compared with the role of the metal matrix) in the abrasive wear resistance of laser-clad NiCrBSi coatings has been estimated. Different wear mechanisms have been identified and, accordingly, different levels of coatings wear resistance have been achieved depending on the ratio between the hardness of the strengthening phases (carbides, borides, carboborides) and abrasive particles.     

Fretting wear behaviors of nanometer Al2O3 and SiO2 reinforced PEEK composites

The influence of diameter and content of Al₂O₃ particles on the tribological behaviors under fretting wear mode was investigated. The surface of PEEK composite and steel ball were examined by SEM and EDS, to identify the topography of wear scar and analyze the distribution of chemical elements in the friction counterparts, respectively. It can be found that the filling of Al₂O₃ powder improves the fretting wear resistance of PEEK composite. With the increase of Al₂O₃ diameter, the area of wear scar on specimen increases first and decreases afterward. However, the wear of composites increases monotonically with increasing Al₂O₃ content. Although the filling of 10 wt.% and 200 nm PTFE powder in PEEK makes the lowest wear of all specimens, no synergistic effect was found when Al₂O₃ and PTFE were filled into PEEK composite together. For the friction pair of PEEK composite and steel ball, abrasive wear and adhesive wear dominate the fretting wear mechanism during fretting. Thermal effect plays a very important role during fretting; thus the property of temperature resistance for polymer material would affect the wear degree on the surface of wear scar.     

Abrasive wear study of white cast iron with different solidification rates

The abrasive wear resistance of white cast iron was studied. The iron was solidified using two solidification rates of 1.5 and 15 °C/s. Mass loss was evaluated with tests of the type pin on abrasive disc using alumina of different sizes. Two matrices were tested: one predominantly austenitic and the other predominantly martensitic, containing M₃C carbides. Samples with cooling rate of 15 °C/s showed higher hardness and more refined microstructure compared with those solidified at 1.5 °C/s. During the test, the movement of successive abrasives gave rise to the strain hardening of the austenite phase, leading to the attainment of similar levels of surface hardness, which explains why the wear rate showed no difference compared to the austenite samples with different solidification rates. For the austenitic matrix the wear rate seems to depend on the hardness of the worn surface and not on the hardness of the material without deformation. The austenitic samples showed cracking and fracture of M₃C carbides. For the predominantly martensitic matrix, the wear rate was higher at the solidification rate of 1.5 °C/s, for grain size of 66 and 93 μm. Higher abrasive sizes were found to produce greater penetration and strain hardening of austenitic matrices. However, martensitic iron produces more microcutting, increasing the wear rate of the material. The analysis of the worn surface by scanning electron microscopy indicated abrasive wear mechanisms such as: microcutting, microfatigue and microploughing. Yet, for the iron of austenitic matrix, the microploughing mechanism was more severe.     

Abrasive wear of WC-FeAl composites

The abrasive wear behavior of tungsten-carbide iron-aluminide composite materials was investigated using a pin-on-drum wear-testing machine. Samples were prepared by uniaxially hot pressing blended powders. The wear rates of specimens containing 40 vol.% matrix of atomic composition, Fe₆₀Al₄₀, were measured and results compared with those of conventional WC-10 vol.% Co hardmetal. They were found to be comparable to those of WC-10% Co hardmetal, when abraded by 120 μm SiC papers under identical conditions. The wear resistance of WC-Fe₆₀Al₄₀ composites increased with reduction in WC-grain size and associated with increase in composite hardness. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the wear surfaces of WC-40% Fe₆₀Al₄₀ composites and WC-Co hardmetal were similar in appearance. The higher hardness and work hardening ability of Fe₆₀Al₄₀ binder, as compared to Co metal, are believed to be responsible for the excellent abrasive wear resistance of WC composites containing iron aluminide binder.     

Abrasive wear behavior of different case depth gas carburized AISI 8620 gear steel

In this study, abrasive wear behaviors of gas carburized AISI 8620 steels with different case depths were examined. AISI 8620 steels yield excellent carburizing results and are used in manufacturing of gears. Two carburized and quenched specimens with different case depths were produced. Specimens were prepared at HEMA Gear Factory. Wear tests were carried out using pin-on disc test machine. Specimens were abraded under 10, 25 and 40 N loads by using 80 grid Al₂O₃ and SiC abrasive papers. Mass losses were measured using an electronic balance with accuracy of 10⁻⁴ g. Results of this study reveal that data on laboratory samples can be used to interpret the abrasive wear performance of AISI 8620 gas carburized steel gears. It has been observed that gas carburizing time affects the case depth, and in turn, specimen with higher case depth has shown better wear resistance. In addition to this, as the case depth has increased, the hardness of the material has increased as well.     

Tempering temperature effects on abrasive wear of mottled cast iron

The effects of different tempering temperatures (300–600 °C) on abrasive wear resistance of mottled cast iron were studied. Abrasive wear tests were carried out using the rubber-wheel test on quartz sand and the pin test on Al₂O₃ abrasive cloths. The retained austenite content of the matrix was determined by X-ray diffraction. The wear surface of the specimens was examined by scanning electron microscopy for identifying the wear micromechanism. Bulk hardness and matrix hardness before and after the tests were measured. The results showed that in the two-body (pin-on-disc test) system, the main wear mechanism was microcutting and high matrix hardening was presented. The wear rates presented higher correlation with the retained austenite than with the bulk and matrix hardness. In the three-body system (sand–rubber wheel), the wear surfaces presented indentations due to abrasive rolling. The wear rates had better correlation with both the bulk and matrix hardness (before and after the wear test) than with the retained austenite content. There are two groups of results, high and low wear rates corresponding to each tribosystem, two-body abrasive wear and three-body abrasive wear, respectively.     

Abrasive erosive wear of powder steels and cermets

Composite materials produced by powder metallurgy provide solutions to many engineering applications that require materials with high abrasive wear resistance. The actual wear behaviour of a material is associated with many external factors (abrasive particle size, velocity and angularity) and intrinsic material properties of wear (hardness, toughness, Young modulus, etc.). Hardness and toughness properties of wear resistant materials are highly dependent on the content of the reinforcing phase, its size and on the mechanical properties of the constituent phase. This study is focused on the analysis of the (AEW) abrasive erosive wear (solid particle erosion) using different wear devices and abrasives. Powder materials (steels, cermets and hardmetals) were studied. Wear resistance of materials and wear mechanisms were studied and compared with those of commercial steels. Based on the results of wear studies, surface degradation mechanisms are proposed. The following parameters characterizing the materials were found necessary in materials creation and selection: hardness (preferably in scale comparable with impact), type of structure (preferably hardmetal type) and wear parameters characterizing material removal at plastic deformation.     

Influence of Al2O3 reinforcement on the abrasive wear characteristic of Al2O3/PA1010 composite coatings

In the present study, the abrasive wear characteristics of Al₂O₃/PA1010 composite coatings were tested on the turnplate abrasive wear testing machine. Steel 45 (quenched and low-temperature tempered) was used as a reference material. The experimental results showed that when the Al₂O₃ particles have been treated with a silane coupling agent (γ-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane), the abrasive wear resistance of Al₂O₃/PA1010 composite coatings has a good linear relationship with the volume fraction of Al₂O₃ particles in Al₂O₃/PA1010 composite coatings and the linear correlation coefficient is 0.979. Under the experimental conditions, the size of Al₂O₃ particles (40.5-161.0 μm) has little influence on the abrasive wear resistance of Al₂O₃/PA1010 composite coatings. By treating the surface of Al₂O₃ particles with the silane coupling agent, the distribution of Al₂O₃ particles in PA1010 matrix is more homogeneous and the bonding state between Al₂O₃ particles and PA1010 matrix is better. Therefore, the Al₂O₃ particles make the Al₂O₃/PA1010 composite coatings have better abrasive wear resistance than PA1010 coating. The wear resistance of Al₂O₃/PA1010 composite coatings is about 45% compared with that of steel 45.     

The influence of alumina on mechanical and tribological characteristics of graphite particle reinforced hybrid Al-MMC

We consider the influence of alumina (Al₂O₃) particles on mechanical and tribological properties of aluminum hybrid metal matrix composites (MMC). Various weight fraction of Al₂O₃ (5, 10 and 15%) and constant weight fraction of graphite (5%) were used to fabricate composites by stir casting method. The effect of Al₂O₃ content on hardness, density and specific wear rate is evaluated. A wear test was performed using central composite design matrix on a pin-on disc apparatus at room temperature for constant sliding distance of 1000 m. The sliding speed, load and weight fraction of Al₂O₃ were the process variables. The results show that the hardness and density increase with increase in Al₂O₃ content. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), load is the dominant factor that affects the specific wear rate of hybrid composites followed by speed and weight fraction of Al₂O₃. Based on desirability approach, the improvement in the wear resistance of the composites became more prominent at high speed, high load and high weight fraction of Al₂O₃. The worn surface of the pin was examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) which indicates that the wear mechanism of composites is mostly abrasive wear followed by oxide wear.     

Computational investigation of testing parameter effects on abrasive wear behaviour of AL2O3 particle-reinforced MMCS using statistical analysis

The wear rate model of 7.3?vol.% Al₂O₃ particle-reinforced aluminium alloy composites with 16 and 66???m particle sizes fabricated by molten metal mixing method was developed in terms of applied load, particle size of reinforcement, abrasive grain size and sliding distance based on the Taguchi method. The two-body abrasive wear behaviour of the specimens was investigated using a pin-on-disc abrasion test apparatus where the sample slid against different SiC abrasives under the loads of 2 and 5?N at the room conditions. The orthogonal array, signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance were employed to find out the optimal testing parameters. The test results showed that particle size of reinforcement was found to be the most effective factor among the other control parameters on abrasive wear, followed by abrasive grain size. Moreover, the optimal combination of the testing parameters was determined and predicted. The predicted wear rate results were compared with experimental results and found to be quite reliable.     

Abrasive wear of micro- and nanocomposites based on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE): Part 2. composites based on UHMWPE filled by nanoparticles and nanofibers

The paper presents investigation results of nanocomposites based on ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene filled by Al₂O₃, C, Cu, SiO₂ nanofillers. It is shown that nanofillers increase the abrasive resistance of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (at an abrasive graininess R240) to a much less extent (up to 55%) compared to microfillers. The structure and friction surfaces of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene and its nanocomposites have been studied by optical profilometry and microscopy, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. It has been proved that the abrasive wear resistance of the nanocomposites depends weakly on the filler type, but is defined by the matrix structure (crystallinity, ordering) and the abrasive graininess of the counterbody. The wear mechanisms of ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene-based nanocomposites in the presence of abrasives were compared to the conditions of dry friction.     

Abrasive and Adhesive Wear Behavior of Arc-Evaporated Al<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cr<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>N Hard Coatings

During the last decade, the usage of difficult-to-machine materials such as austenitic stainless steels has increased continuously in various industrial applications. Tools such as blind hole taps, punches, or deep drawing molds are often exposed to severe wear while machining/forming these materials, mainly due to excessive adhesion and material transfer. On combination with abrasive wear due to work-hardened wear debris, tool lifetime in these applications is often limited. In this study, ball-on-disc experiments were carried out with arc-evaporated AlCrN coatings with different Al/(Al + Cr) ratios against Al₂O₃ and austenitic stainless steel balls in ambient atmosphere. Test temperatures of 25, 500, and 700°C were chosen for the hard Al₂O₃ balls simulating severe abrasive loads, whereas 25, 150, and 250°C were used for the softer stainless steel material to evaluate the adhesive wear behavior. Characterization of the wear tracks was done by scanning electron microscopy in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and optical profilometry. The best abrasive wear resistance during testing against Al₂O₃ was observed for the coating with the highest Al content. In the case of the austenitic stainless steel balls, sticking of the ball material to the coating surface was the dominating wear mechanism. The influence of test temperature, chemical composition, and surface roughness was studied in detail.     

The influence of primary carbides and test parameters on abrasive and erosive wear of selected PM high speed steels

The aim of this investigation has been to further the understanding of the contribution given by the primary carbides to the abrasive and erosive wear resistance of six HSS's, and to evaluate different test methods. With abrasives significantly harder than the primary carbides of the HSS's, two- and three-body abrasion rates showed only small variations with primary carbide volume fraction, size and type. However, using abrasives/erodants softer than the carbides the qualitative results were similar for the two- and three-body abrasion tests and for the erosion test, with the wear resistance increasing with the volume fraction primary carbides.     

Effect of carbide size on the abrasion of cobalt-base powder metallurgy alloys

A study of the effect of carbide size on the abrasion resistance of two cobalt-base powder metallurgy alloys, alloys 6 and 19, was conducted using low stress abrasion with a relatively hard abrasive, A1₂O₃. Specimens of each alloy were produced with different carbide sizes but with a constant carbide volume fraction. The wear test results show a monotonie decrease in wear rate with increasing carbide size.Scanning electron microscopy of the worn surfaces and of wear debris particles shows that the primary material removal mechanism is micromachining. Small carbides provide little resistance to micromachining because of the fact that many of them are contained entirely in the volume of micromachining chips. The large carbides must be directly cut by the abrasive particles. Other less frequently observed material removal mechanisms included direct carbide pull-out and the formation of large pits in fine carbide specimens. These processes are considered secondary in the present work, but they may have greater importance in wear by relatively soft abrasives which do not cut chips from the carbide phase of these alloys. Some indication of this is provided by limited studies using a relatively soft abrasive, rounded quartz.     

Influence of abrasive hardness on the wear resistance of high chromium irons

The resistance to abrasive wear was determined for a series of alloyed white cast irons in a high stress abrasion test which utilizes a specimen in sliding contact with bonded abrasives. These were conducted on silicon carbide, alumina and two sizes of garnet abrasive.The results indicate that the hardness, or type, of abrasive used in the test significantly influenced the wear rate of white irons, i.e. the rate of wear increased with increasing hardness of the abrasive. Also, the results indicate that the type of abrasive used in the test was a significant factor in ranking white irons for resistance to high stress abrasion. When tested on silicon carbide or alumina abrasive, as-cast austenitic irons exhibited lower rates of wear than heat treated martensitic irons; when tested on garnet, an abrasive of lower hardness, those irons with martensitic matrix microstructures exhibited the same or less wear than irons with austenitic matrix microstructures. It was also evident that heat treated irons with martensitic matrix microstructures exhibited varying degrees of resistance to abrasive wear depending on cooling rates and alloy content.     

Mechanisms of dry wear of some martensitic steels

The basic wear mechanisms operating when two identical steel surfaces are rubbed against each other were studied to determine material parameters essential for wear resistance. Three simple model alloys, with the same basic properties as tool steels, were developed, containing three different predetermined volumes of M₇C₃ carbide, having approximately the same hardnesses after hardening and annealing, and approximately the same composition of the matrix.Unlubricated sliding wear tests were performed in air, using a pin-on-ring type machine. Normal force, sliding speed and sliding distance were varied. Friction force and temperature were recorded during the test and changes in weight of specimens were measured. The worn surfaces were carefully examined by scanning electron microscopy, in an attempt to classify the different wear mechanisms.It was found that corrosive wear dominates at low sliding speeds (2 m/min). Material annealed to a lower hardness had a lower wear resistance, irrespective of carbide content. The wear is characterized as mild.At high sliding speed (100 m/min) and especially for high normal forces, the wear was dominantly by a severe adhesive mechanism. Tempering to a lower hardness gave better wear resistance, which indicates that the room temperature hardness is not significant when a high contact temperature is reached. The influence of the carbide content was complex. The results indicate that a carbide free material is the most wear resistant, because of the more extensive occurrence of corrosive wear. Abrasives such as carbides in the more carbide rich alloys may possibly tear up protective corrosive layers and expose the steel to adhesive wear.