Tribological behaviour of Si3N4 and Si3N4-%TiN based composites and multi-layer laminates

Si₃N₄-TiN based multi-layer laminates exhibit differences in residual stress between individual layers due to a variation of the thermal expansion coefficient between the layers. The residual stress distribution in these multi-layer laminates is known to improve the apparent macroscopic fracture toughness. In this work, the tribological behaviour of bulk, composites and multi-layers laminates are investigated. Si₃N₄ bulk, Si₃N₄ based composites with 10, 20 and 30 wt% TiN and different multi-layer laminates have been tested under dry conditions with reciprocal movement using a ball-on-block configuration. In particular, the influence of sliding directions with respect to the layer orientations has been investigated.The experimental results show that wear resistance increased with increasing TiN content in Si₃N₄-TiN composites. However, multi-layer laminates exhibit an up to three times higher apparent fracture toughness, but do not show an improvement of wear resistance compared to composites.     

Improved wear resistance of Si3N4 tool inserts by addition of Al2O3 platelets

In the present work, Si₃N₄ matrix composites reinforced with different amounts of Al₂O₃ platelets (0, 30 and 50vol%) were produced with the aim of increasing the tribochemical resistance in the machining of steels. Tool wear was related to the linear increase of the main cutting force (F_c) with time (dF_c/dt); a real-time parameter that can be used to assess the cutting edge damage and to stop machining before the tool fails. For all machined steels, tool wear resistance increased with increasing Al₂O₃ platelet content.     

Observation of delamination wear of lubricious tribofilm formed on Si3N4 during sliding against WC-Co in humidity air

Hot pressed silicon nitride that was exposed to high (90%) and low (32%) relative humidity was examined in ball-on-disc geometry against cemented carbide ball at various normal loads. The study indicated that Si₃N₄ tested at high R.H. gave less specific wear rate compared with Si₃N₄ at low R.H. The friction coefficient of Si₃N₄−WC-6% Co tribopairs was found in the range of 0.32–0.39 and 0.05–0.17 at low humidity and high humidity respectively. It is suggested that adsorbed moisture markedly affected the wear and friction properties of silicon nitride.Following the tests, SEM was used to elucidate the wear mechanism and particularly to delineate the effects of relative humidity on the wear and friction. SEM micrographs showed that the main wear mechanism at low relative humidity (32%) was caused by mechanical wear including abrasive grooves, large holes and polishing, whereas at high relative humidity (90%) the main mechanism was highly influenced by a tribochemical reaction related to the moisture adsorption from the environment. It is concluded that the removal of lubricious tribolayer was occurred by delamination induced crack propagation.     

Friction and wear behavior of Ni-P coated Si3N4 reinforced Al6061 composites

Al6061 matrix composite reinforced with nickel coated silicon nitride particles were manufactured by liquid metallurgy route. Microstructure and tribological properties of both matrix alloy and developed composites have been evaluated. Dry sliding friction and wear tests were carried out using pin on disk type machine over a load range of 20-100 N and sliding velocities of range 0.31-1.57 m/s. Results revealed that, nickel coated silicon nitride particles are uniformly distributed through out the matrix alloy. Al6061-Ni-P-Si₃N₄ composite exhibited lower coefficient of friction and wear rate compared to matrix alloy. The coefficient of friction of both matrix alloy and developed composite decreased with increase in load up to 80 N. Beyond this, with further increase in the load, the coefficient of friction increased slightly. However, with increase in sliding velocity coefficient of friction of both matrix alloy and developed composite increases continuously. Wear rates of both matrix alloy and developed composites increased with increase in both load and sliding velocity. Worn surfaces and wear debris was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for possible wear mechanisms. Energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) techniques were used to identify the oxides formed on the worn surfaces and wear debris.     

Friction and wear properties of duplex MAO/CrN coatings sliding against Si3N4 ceramic balls in air, water and oil

It is evident that the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) ceramic coatings often exhibit relatively high friction coefficients as sliding against many mating materials. To reduce the friction coefficient for the MAO coatings, the duplex MAO/CrN coatings were deposited on 2024Al alloy using combined micro-arc oxidation and reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The microstructure and phase of the duplex coatings were observed and determined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The friction and wear behaviors of the duplex coatings sliding against Si₃N₄ balls in air, water and oil were investigated using a ball-on-disk tribometer. The wear rate of the duplex coating was determined by non-contact optical profilometer and the wear tracks on the duplex coatings were observed by SEM. The results showed the CrN coatings mainly consisted of Cr, CrN and Cr₂N phases. The duplex coatings/Si₃N₄ tribopair exhibited the highest friction coefficient in air, while displayed the lowest friction coefficient in oil. When the normal load and the sliding speed increased, the friction coefficient in air increased from 0.65 to 0.72, whereas decreased from 0.58 to 0.36 in water and 0.20 to 0.08 in oil. The specific wear rates for the duplex coatings in air were higher than those in oil. In comparison to the MAO coatings, the duplex MAO/CrN coatings displayed excellent tribological properties under the same conditions.     

Friction and wear of self-mated SiC and Si3N4 sliding in water

The friction and wear of self-mated SiC and Si₃N₄ with different initial roughness sliding in water were investigated with pin-on-disk apparatus at normal load of 5 N and sliding speed of 120 mm/s in ambient condition. It was found that, for self-mated Si₃N₄, the wear mechanism for surface smoothening to obtain low friction was tribochemical wear, but for self-mated SiC, it changed from mechanical wear into tribochemical wear with increasing sliding cycles. After running-in in water, self-mated Si₃N₄ exhibited lower steady-state friction coefficient than self-mated SiC did. For these two ceramics, initial and steady-state friction coefficients were hardly dependent on initial roughness. Initial roughness mainly affected the running-in period. The larger the initial roughness, the longer the running-in period, but the running-in period was much shorter for self-mated Si₃N₄ at each initial roughness than that for self-mated SiC.     

Sliding wear transition for the CW614 brass alloy

Dry sliding wear tests were performed on a CW614 brass alloy using a pin-on-ring configuration. Wear kinetics were measured within a load range of 20–80 N and sliding velocity ranging from 1 to 7 m/s. Chemical compositions, morphologies and microstructures of worn surfaces and wear debris were characterised by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). Two main wear regimes have been observed: severe wear and mild wear. The results of wear tests and metallographic investigations on worn surfaces have been summarised in a wear mechanism map. It was found that the wear transition is controlled by a critical temperature at the contact surface.     

LOM技术制备Si3N4/BN层状陶瓷

采用LOM技术成形了Si3N4/BN层状陶瓷坯体。陶瓷坯体由在其表面涂上BN的Si3N4薄片叠加组成,坯体经排胶和热压烧结后得到最终产物。对坯体进行了热分析;对烧结产物进行了力学性能测试,并与常规成形方法的结果进行了比较。     

氮化硅陶瓷水射流辅助激光精密加工

为解决工程陶瓷在激光加工中的表面质量问题提出了溶液辅助激光加工方法,首先在综合国内外有关研究的基础上,分析了激光穿越水层的能量传输、激光作用水下固体物质的热传导和静水及水射流辅助激光加工的作用机理;搭建了旁轴射流与超声振动辅助激光复合加工系统,开展了不同加工条件下氮化硅陶瓷刻槽对比试验。借助扫描电子显微镜检测分析激光刻蚀槽体形貌,运用激光共聚焦显微镜观测了槽体截面轮廓。研究表明,水射流辅助激光加工氮化硅陶瓷,因激光穿越水层、水的对流冷却等作用减少了激光烧蚀材料的有效能量,刻蚀深度有所降低;同时由于水层的存在改变了加工区域能量分布,使得槽口变宽。当激光电流200A、频率50Hz、脉宽0.6ms时刻槽深度相对减小30%,宽度增大21%。水与氮化硅在激光作用下的会发生水解等效应,且水蒸汽、材料蒸汽、熔融粒子、气泡等沿水流动方向被带走,有利于表面质量的提高,综合效果良好。     

Frictional deformation and fracture in polycrystalline SiC and Si3N4

Electron optical microscopy was employed to study the friction and wear of commercial polycrystalline varieties of SiC and Si₃N₄ in air at ambient temperature. Friction and wear tests were conducted in a reciprocating configuration with conical riders (both diamond and ceramic) sliding on a flat ceramic substrate. Worn surfaces were examined by both scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In general, friction and wear in the diamond-ceramic couples were severe. Friction with ceramic-ceramic couples was low, with friction coefficients between 0.1 and 0.4, wear being absent in single-pass tests.With ceramic-ceramic couple multipass systems, wear of Si₃N₄ occurs by plastic deformation which increases in severity with sliding distance accompanied by a corresponding increase in friction coefficient. With SiC, wear occurs by a mixture of intergranular fracture due to grain boundary weakness and plastic deformation.     

二步法制备Si3N4／MoSi2 合材料的研究

用Ｍｏ粉、Ｓｉ粉通过二步法反应制得Ｓｉ３Ｎ４／ＭｏＳｉ２复合材料,并用Ｘ射线衍射和扫描电镜、抗析仪等方法对材料进行了显微结构和机械性能的测定。研究表明,复合材料的机械性能,特别是高温机械性能比Ｓｉ３Ｎ４材料有显著的提高。     

Si3N4-hBN陶瓷复合材料与Fe-B合金配副的摩擦学特性研究

利用MMU-5G销-盘式端面磨损试验机考察Si3N4-hBN陶瓷复合材料与Fe-B合金配副分别在干摩擦和水润滑条件下的摩擦磨损性能,分别采用扫描电子显微镜( SEM)、激光扫描显微镜(LSM)、X光电子能谱(XPS)、X射线能谱(EDS)和X射线衍射(XRD)分析摩擦面及磨屑的形貌与物质组成.结果表明,hBN的加入未能有效地改善Si3N4-hBN/Fe-B合金摩擦副的摩擦学性能,干摩擦条件下,Si3N4-hBN摩擦表面微凸体与Fe-B合金中的硬质相Fe2B发生碰撞而导致脆性断裂和剥落,发生磨粒磨损,摩擦因数均高于0.9,磨损率均高于10-5 mm3/ (N·m)数量级;水润滑条件下,由于水流带走了磨屑,避免磨粒磨损的发生,为Si3N4-hBN摩擦表面发生化学抛光提供条件,化学抛光使销、盘试样的摩擦表面变得光滑,从而获得较为优异的摩擦学性能.     

Lubrication of Si3N4 and Al2O3 in water with and without addition of silane coupling agents in the range of 0.05–0.10 mol/l

To improve water lubrication of ceramics at a lower sliding velocity, the effect of the addition of silane coupling agents was investigated. Si₃N₄ and Al₂O₃ were slid against themselves in water with and without the addition of silane coupling agents in amounts ranging from 0.05 to 0.10 mol/l. Silane coupling agents containing one or more amino groups were effective in reducing the friction of Si₃N₄ and Al₂O₃ in water. Si₃N₄ also showed significant wear reduction but not Al₂O₃. However, the addition of a silane coupling agent containing an epoxy group increased both friction and wear of Si₃N₄. Improved lubricative characteristics of Si₃N₄ in water and in silane coupling agent solutions were obtained when Si₃N₄ contained smaller amounts of sintering additives. The adsorption behaviour of a silane coupling agent on ceramics was examined using both Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography to clarify the interaction between the silane coupling agent and the ceramics. The role of polysiloxane film formation on ceramics is discussed to demonstrate the lubrication properties of ceramics.     

Probing the local temperature by in situ electron microscopy on a heated Si3N4 membrane

We present a method allowing us to obtain localized heating that is compatible with high-temperature operation and real time scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Localized heating is induced by flowing current through tungsten nanowires deposited by focused ion-beam-induced deposition on a 50-nm-thick Si₃N₄ membrane. Based on the heat transport between the nanowire and the substrate, we applied an analytical model to obtain the temperature profile as a function of electrical power. In this model, the key parameter is the thermal resistance between the nanowire and the substrate that we determined experimentally by measuring electrical power and local temperature. The local temperature is measured by observing the evaporation of gold nanoparticle by electron microscopy. These in situ heating and temperature-probing capabilities are used to study the crystallization of the Si₃N₄ membrane and the growth of silicon nanowires.     

Dry and water-lubricated slip-rolling of Si3N4- and SiC-based ceramics

Tests on self-mated Si₃N₄- and SiC-based ceramics as well as ceramic-ceramic composites were performed in an Amsler-type wear tester under dry and water-lubricated rolling conditions with 10% slip. Under dry friction, wear coefficients of the materials varied by four decades. Unlubricated wear coefficients below 10⁻⁷ mm³/(N.m), defined as a practical limit for applicability, can be achieved with Si₃N₄-TiN below 775 MPa and with HIP-SiC below 750 MPa. HIPped Si₃N₄ and hot-pressed SiC-TiC under dry friction exhibit a small dependency of wear coefficient on Hertzian pressure, with wear coefficients below 10⁻⁶ mm³/(N.m). The lowest wear coefficient below 10⁻⁶ mm³/(N.m) with water lubrication was found for Si₃N₄-TiN and S-RBSi₃N₄; water reduces the variability in wear coefficient for Si₃N₄- and SiC-based ceramics.     

Si3N4陶瓷—白口铸铁在无润滑条件下的磨损性能分析

研究了无润滑条件下Si3N4陶瓷－白口铸铁磨擦副的磨损机理,通过对磨损表面的形貌分析和化学成分测试,发现粘附磨损和疲劳磨损是这一摩擦副磨损的主要形式,通过对试验数据进行回归分析,得知载荷对摩擦副磨损率的影响远大于速度对其的影响。     

Sliding friction and wear properties of CNX/TiN composite films

A combined dc magnetron sputtering and multi-arc deposition system was used to grow CN_X/TiN composite films on a high-speed-steel (HSS) substrate. The thickness of these films is about 3 μm, the hardness of the coating exceeds 50 GPa. The sliding friction properties were studied by ball-on-disc tests under different loads and speeds. The wear mode of the films was observed and analyzed. There exist spallation, abrasion and micro-ploughing wear modes under different loads. The critical load value was theoretically determined and tested to be 55 N. The results show that the alternating films have good wear resistance under heavy load and high speed.     

Sliding wear characteristics of plasma-sprayed Al2O3 and Cr2O3 coatings against copper alloy under severe conditions

Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃ coatings were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying and their tribological properties dry sliding against copper alloy were evaluated using a block-on-ring configuration at room temperature. It was found that the wear resistance of Al₂O₃ coating was superior to that of the Cr₂O₃ coating under the conditions used in the present study. This mainly attributed to its better thermal conductivity of Al₂O₃ coating, which was considered to effectively facilitate the dissipation of tribological heat and alleviate the reduction of hardness due to the accumulated tribological heat. As for the Al₂O₃ coating, the wear mechanism was plastic deformation along with some micro-abrasion and fatigue-induced brittle fracture, while the failure of Cr₂O₃ coating was predominantly the crack propagation-induced detachment of transferred films and splats spallation.     

合金铸铁缸套试样在往复式磨损试验后的SEM分析

对不同匹配的柴油机缸套、活塞环进行往复式摩擦磨损试验后进行SEM分析，研究合金灰铸铁在斜纹和网纹激光处理后的不同对耐磨性的影响及铸铁中空洞在激光热处理的行为。