Study of the tribological performance of zirconia-based materials in pair with VT-9 titanium alloy

The paper presents a study of the possibility of using composite nanostructured ceramic materials and crystals based on zirconia as bearing materials for dry operation at temperatures of up to 150°C. The results of experimental study of the dry friction of the materials in pair with alpha-titanium alloy VT-9 are presented. It is shown that at a sliding velocity of 0.004 m/s, contact pressure of 3.3 MPa, and temperature of 150°C, their antifriction properties do not differ significantly. ZrO₂ crystals have a slight superiority in wear resistance because of their higher microhardness. The wear resistances of the alpha-alloy in pair with the ceramics and the crystal are practically the same. A power pattern of the dependence of the wear rate on the pressure for the ZrO₂ crystal and the VT-9 (α) alloy is confirmed.