Abstract: | Characterization of the Tribological Behaviour of Ceramic Sliding Couples with Modern Surface Analysis Methods Dry friction and wear tests were performed in ambient atmosphere with various self-mated couples of SiC, Al2O3, Si3N4 and ZrO2. The temperature was varied between 22 °C and 1000 °C and the sliding velocity between 0.03 m/s and 5 m/s. Normal force, temperature and sliding velocity are kept constant during the tests. The materials and wear mechanisms were characterized by various surface analytic methods – optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, IR-spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, auger electron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High wear/low wear transitions could be explained. On the basis of these results new ceramic materials with lower friction and/or wear were selected or successful developed. |