Wear characterization of structural ceramics using single-grit scratching

Single-grit rotating scratch experiments have been conducted to characterize the wear behavior of several structural ceramics. Suitably positioned high-speed force transducers record the normal (thrust) and the tangential (cutting) force profiles during the scratch process. The volume of material removed and the complete scratch groove characteristics have been analyzed using a laser profilometer and electron microscopy, respectively. Based on the extent of induced damage, the measured normal and tangential forces, and the material properties, the selected ceramics have been ranked in terms of their relative susceptibility to wear under the applied loading conditions.