The effects of iron particles on the friction and wear mechanisms of ceramics in ethanol

For the combinations of an Si3N4 pin and five kinds of ceramic disk (SiC, Si3N4, Al2O3, ZrO2, TiC), a friction and wear test was carried out in ethanol and in ethanol containing iron particles (1 wt.%, average diameter d = 200 nm, d = 12 mu m under cobered condition) under a load in the range 5.88-11.50 N, at a sliding velocity of 0.138-0.196 m s(-1). A topographical analysis was also performed on the microasperities of the wear surfaces to estimate the behavior of the iron particles, and the degree of surface damage. As a result, the following facts were found. (1) The addition of iron particles in ethanol decreased both the wear rates of SIC and TiC disks and the mating pins, and also decreased the wear rate of the Al2O3 disk but increased that of the mating pin. The addition increased the wear rates of both ZrO2 and Si3N4 disks and the mating pins. (2) The average coefficients of friction with the addition of iron particles were greater than those without iron particles. (3) The wear rates of pin and disk depended on the topographies of wear surfaces and the wear index Gamma. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.