Surface modification of ceramics for improved tribological properties

Surface modification of commercially available alumina ceramic was carried out by using laser irradiation for remelting and alloying. It is shown that resulting multiphase structures in the 100-400 mu m thick surface zone can effectively reduce friction and wear in unlubricated oscillating sliding c ontact against Al2O3 counterbodies. Effect of microstructural parameters an d experimental conditions such as counterbody, humidity and temperature are discussed. Transition behaviour from mild to severe wear is explained on t he basis of a theoretical model. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S .r.l. All rights reserved.