Influence of SiO2 and MnO2 additives on the dry friction and wear performance of Al2O3 ceramic

Alumina is widely selected in the design of components for high engineering applications mainly because of its high wear resistance, high compressive strength, low specific density and high temperature capability. Processing and manufacturing of pure alumina products is a difficult and expensive task. Therefore, additional compounds are added to alumina to reach more complex component design, to minimise the product processing and manufacturing costs. In this investigation we studied and explored the influence of additional compounds, speed and load values on the friction and wear behaviour of alumina ceramic. Wear tests for alumina and alumina samples contained w3% SiO2 and w1.5%MnO2, addition compounds was carried out with a pin-on-disc machine. Tribological tests were under 2.5, 5 and 10 N loads and at speeds of 0.5 and 1 m/s. The specific wear rates were deduced from mass loss. The wear rate for alumina without additional compounds was in the order of 10(-8) to 10(-7) mm(2)/N. while the wear rate values for alumina with additional compounds were in the order of 10(-6). Moreover, the wear rate showed more sensitivity to the applied load, particularly at low sliding speeds. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.