FRICTION AND WEAR MECHANISM OF ZIRCONIA I N UNLUBRICATED SLIDING CONTACT

The friction and wear properties of self-mated zirconia (ZrO2) in unlu bricated sliding contact were investigated by using a pin/disk frictio n machine, From the obtained results and the morphologies of frictiona l surfaces observed by SEM and particle size distribution of wear part icles, the friction and wear mechanism of ZrO2 pin slide against ZrO2 disk was discussed, In this system, the average friction coefficient w as almost independent of the load applied, but the wear amount increas ed with an increase of the load, The wear particle sizes became larger with increasing sliding time and load applied, It is found that the f riction and wear mechanism of ZrO2 is dominated with the formation, de lamination and fracture of surface him transferred on frictional surfa ces by friction and adhesion, and that they are influenced by friction heat and the load applied.