UNLUBRICATED SLIDING WEAR MECHANISM OF FINE CERAMICS AL2O3 AND ZRO2 AGAINST HIGH CHROMIUM CAST-IRON

The unlubricated sliding wear behaviour of hot-pressed ceramics Al2O3 and ZrO2 against high chromium cast iron with various matrices was stu died. The wear micro-mechanism of Al2O3 and ZrO2 was discussed. The re sults showed the following: (1) The wear of Al2O3 depends on the forma tion of transfer film coming from the cast iron; the austenite in the matrix of the cast iron promotes the formation of transfer film which can reduce simultaneously the wear of both Al2O3 and cast iron; (2) th e direct factor controlling the formation of transfer film on ceramics is the adhesive energy; (3) the wear couple Al2O3/austenite cast iron is a promising combination, because it possesses minimum wear of both sides; (4) the wear of ZrO2 depends on transfer film and phase transf ormation; (5) the EDAX analysis can be used to determine roughly the r elative thickness of the transfer film; (6) the hardness of martensiti c cast irons does not affect the wear of ceramics.