LUBRICATED ROLLING WEAR OF SIC-WHISKER-REINFORCED AL2O3 COMPOSITES AGAINST M2 TOOL STEEL

Lubricated rolling wear studies of SiC-whisker (SiC(w)) reinforced Al2O3 composites and monolithic Al2O3 against M2 tool steel were conducted using a cylinder-on-cylinder apparatus. The composites wore considerably less than Al2O3. The wear of the tool steel against the composites was also considerably less than against Al2O3. Microfracture occurred on a smaller scale in the composites than in the Al2O3. This was attributed to the differences in microstructure and fracture toughness. The worn surfaces of the steel and the composites were polished, possibly due to fine, hard wear debris circulating with the lubricant to the contact area.