Study on wettability behavior and wear resistance mechanism of ZTA-ceramic-reinforced HCCI composites

Zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA)-reinforced high-chromium cast iron (HCCI) composite materials were prepared using pressureless sintering method, and the effects of the type (titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni)) and content (10%, 12%) of active additives on the wettability and wear resistance were systematically studied. Result showed that the additive can enhance the wettability capacity between ZTA/HCCI composites interface, especially Ti, which reacted the chemical reaction and formed a transition layer in metallurgical combination. When the content of the Ti additive was 10%, the Brinell hardness (HB) of ZTA/HCCI composite was 573.1 N/mm(2) at room temperature, and the wear-resistant properties were more than 3.8 times of pure HCCI. After thermal treatment, the HB and wear resistance of 10% Ti-ZTA/HCCI composites increased significantly which could reach 629.8 N/mm(2) and were more than 4.3 times of the pure HCCI, respectively.