Tribological behavior and wear mechanism of pure WC at wide range temperature from 25 to 800 °C in vacuum and air environment

Abstract The tribological behavior and wear mechanism of pure tungsten carbide (WC) is researched in this study. In order to simulate the actual work condition, the experimental temperature increases from room temperature to 800 °C under air and vacuum conditions, respectively. XRD, SEM and Raman laser surface scattering tests are used to investigate the worn surfaces of WC after different sliding friction tests. In this study, it is found that the atmosphere has a significant influence on the tribological properties of pure WC. In vacuum, pure WC can maintain phase stability at the temperature till to 800 °C. However, the oxidation behavior have a significant effect on the tribological properties of tungsten carbide under air environment and the critical oxidizing temperature is between 500 °C and 550 °C.