A novel ceramic with low friction and wear toward tribological applications: Boron carbide-silicon carbide

Boron carbide-silicon carbide ceramic is a novel material as tribological structural components. Compared with traditional tribo-components composed of single-phase boron carbide ceramics or single-phase silicon carbide ceramics, boron carbide-silicon carbide composite ceramics exhibit better tribological properties under nonlubricated and water lubricated sliding conditions, which is attributed to their in situ formed relief structure on the surface. It is the first time to find that the in situ formed relief structure can enhance the tribological properties of materials. The recent progress on the tribological properties of boron carbide-silicon carbide ceramics is summarized in this review. Besides, future research directions of boron carbide-silicon carbide ceramics toward tribological applications are proposed. This review provides some theoretical basis for preparing boron carbide-silicon carbide ceramics with low friction and wear and points out a new application direction for boron carbide-silicon carbide ceramics.