Mechanical and wear properties of Mo5Si3–Mo3Si–Al2O3 composites

Mo₅Si₃ and Mo₅Si₃–Mo₃Si–Al₂O₃ composite were synthesized use MoO₃, Mo, Si and Al as raw materials by mechanically induced self propagating reaction and then consolidated by hot-pressing. The microstructure of the materials was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The effects of the Al₂O₃ on the mechanical and tribological properties of Mo₅Si₃–Mo₃Si–Al₂O₃ composite have been studied. It was found that benefits associated with the addition of the Al₂O₃ to Mo₅Si₃ and Mo₃Si include finer microstructure, higher strength, higher fracture toughness and higher hardness. The dry sliding wear properties of the composite were investigated using against GCr15 bearing steel in ball-on-disk system at room temperature. The results indicated that the friction coefficients and specific wear rates of Mo₅Si₃–Mo₃Si–Al₂O₃ composite were significantly reduced by the addition of Al₂O₃, and its specific wear rates decreased by an order of magnitude compare with the monophase Mo₅Si₃. The friction coefficients of test materials decrease with an increasing load. The dominant wear mechanism of the composites was interpreted by several different wear models involving plastic deformation, adhesion, brittle fracture and reaction to form a tribo-oxidation layer.