Study on the Friction and Wear Properties of Yttrium-Stabilized Zirconia Based Nanocomposite Ceramic Tool and Die Materials

Based on the requirements for ceramic materials of cutting tool and die and the aim of improving comprehensive mechanical properties of ceramic tool and die materials, nanocomposite ceramic tool and die materials with high mechanical properties were fabricated successfully with nanometer composite method. Friction and wear properties of the developed ZrO2/Ti(C7N3) nanocomposite ceramic tool and die materials were experimentally studied in detail. Morphologies of the worn surfaces were observed and analyzed by ESEM. Wear mechanisms of nanocomposite ceramic tool and die materials were discussed with comparison with that of single-phase ZrO2 ceramics. It indicates that wear mechanisms of ZrO2/Ti(C7N3) nanocomposite ceramic tool and die materials are mechanical cold welding, abrasive wear and adhesive wear.