Friction and wear properties of α-AlB12- and SiB6-based ceramics in water

Abstract In this study, α-AlB 12 - and SiB 6 -based ceramic disk specimens were prepared by spark plasma sintering, and their X-ray diffraction patterns, microstructure, microvickers hardness were examined. Also, the friction and wear properties of the α-AlB 12 - and SiB 6 -based ceramic disk specimens were investigated when they were slid against Si 3 N 4 , Al 2 O 3 and SiC ball specimens in water. Additionally, the friction and wear properties of the Si 3 N 4 –Si 3 N 4 and Al 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 tribopairs were investigated in water as references. Both the α-AlB 12 - and SiB 6 -based ceramic disk specimens exhibited friction coefficients lower than 0.2 when they were slid against the Si 3 N 4 , Al 2 O 3 and SiC ball specimens. On the other hand, the Si 3 N 4 –Si 3 N 4 and Al 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 tribopairs exhibited friction coefficients as low as 0.6. The α-AlB 12 - and SiB 6 -based ceramic disk specimens and their paired Si 3 N 4 , Al 2 O 3 and SiC ball specimens exhibited much lower specific wear rates than the Si 3 N 4 –Si 3 N 4 and Al 2 O 3 –Al 2 O 3 tribopairs.