Effect of temperature and load on three-body abrasion of cermets and steel

The effect of temperature and load on three-body abrasion resistance has been examined for stainless steel, Cr₃C₂-Ni cermet, plain WC-Co hardmetal and yttria stabilized zirconia doped WC-based composites. Series of tests at various tribo-conditions were performed on a recently developed device. Coefficient of friction and materials response to abrasive actions have been analyzed and positive effect of zirconia addition on materials wear resistance has been shown. The low wear rates of ZrO₂ containing cermets are due to lower susceptibility of zirconia to transgranular crack propagation, smaller mean free path between ceramic grains and formation of lubricating glazed silica-rich layer.