Wear of multiphase SiC based ceramic composites containing free carbon

Ceramics are of increasing interest for application in many branches of tec hnique. In order to improve the tribological performance of ceramic materia ls, composites on the basis of silicon carbide with different amounts of ti tanium carbide, baron carbide, titanium diboride and free carbon in the for m of graphite were manufactured by a reaction sintering process. The friction and wear behaviour of these composites was investigated with o scillating sliding motion in unlubricated tests at room temperature on diff erent levels of relative humidity. Additional tests were performed under wa ter lubrication, revealing the superior behaviour of composites for special test conditions. A major influence of the free carbon on friction or wear behaviour was not observed. The tribological behaviour in air as well as un der water is mainly dependant on the amount of titanium phases. (C) 2001 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.