Abrasive wear performance and wear map of ZrB2-MoSi2-SiCw composites

The effect of SiCw addition on abrasive wear performance of ZrB2-MoSi2 composites were examined. Coefficient of friction, specific wear rate, and surface roughness decrease with the addition of SiCw. The formation of the selflubricating tribo-oxide layer caused by tribochemical reaction during frictional heating enhances wear resistance of the composites. Tribological performances of the composites are strongly influenced by parametric variation of different experimental conditions which are primarily sliding speed and applied load. The operational wear regime maps reveal that the workable damage tolerance limits for the applied load are 20-25 N for ZMS(w)-5 composite, whereas that for ZMS(w)-20 composite is similar to 40 N. The wear mechanisms vary from delamination, cracking, and grain pull out at medium applied loads to grain boundary fracture at higher applied loads.

Automated summary

The addition of SiCw decreases the coefficient of friction, specific wear rate, and surface roughness of ZrB2-MoSi2 composites, while enhancing wear resistance. The tribological performance of the composites is influenced by experimental conditions, with the damage tolerance limits varying for different applied loads. Wear mechanisms shift from delamination, cracking, and grain pull out at medium loads to grain boundary fracture at higher loads.