Abrasive wear behavior of MoSi2SiC and MoSi2ZrO2 composites

The volume wear behavior of MoSi₂/SiC and MoSi₂/ZrO₂ composites was evaluated using 150 grit SiC particles in a pin-on-drum abrasion test. The addition of SiC whiskers or particles reduced the volume wear of the composite relative to monolithic MoSi₂ by about a factor of two, with the SiC whisker containing composite having a slightly lower volume wear rate than the SiC particulate reinforced composite. The addition of partially-stabilized (PS)-ZrO₂ particles lowered the volume wear of the composite relative to MoSi₂. The addition of unstabilized (US)-ZrO₂ or fully-stabilized (FS)-ZrO₂ particles to the MoSi₂ matrix had little effect of the volume wear relative to the unreinforced matrix. The difference in wear behavior of the ZrO₂ reinforced composites may be associated with the ability of the PS-ZrO₂ particles to transform reducing the fragmentation process during abrasion.