High-temperature self-lubricated properties of Al2O3/Mo laminated composites

High-performance self-lubricated alumina composites are regarded as potential candidates for space applications. Complying with the design principle of bionic composites, Al2O3/Mo composites with laminated structure were prepared, and their mechanical and tribological properties were studied. The results show that Al2O3/Mo laminated composites have excellent self-lubricating and mechanical properties. The fracture toughness of the material is 9.14 MPa m(1/2), which is much higher than the 5.69 MPa m(1/2) of the monolithic Al2O3 ceramics. In addition, the friction coefficient of the material can be reduced to 0.34 at 800 degrees C, a decrease of approximately 62.6% below the monolithic Al2O3 ceramics. The Al2O3/Mo composite showed good self-lubricating and mechanical performance, which can be attributed to the presence of laminated structure and the formation of MoO3 during the sliding friction at high temperature. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.