Tribological properties of Ti3SiC2 coupled with different counterfaces

Abstract This paper reports the dry-sliding tribological properties of Ti 3 SiC 2 at room temperature in air, coupled with different counterfaces, including Ti 3 SiC 2 , Al 2 O 3 , Si 3 N 4 , SiC, and GCr15-bearing-steel. Ti 3 SiC 2 exhibited obviously different tribological properties with different sliding counterfaces. The lowest friction coefficient (0.43) and wear rate (2.09×10 −4 mm 3 /Nm) were obtained in the Ti 3 SiC 2 /SiC friction pair. Increased friction coefficient (0.63) and wear rate (3.67×10 −4 mm 3 /Nm) were observed if Ti 3 SiC 2 slides against GCr15-bearing-steel. The highest friction coefficient (1.30) was observed in Ti 3 SiC 2 /Al 2 O 3 friction pair and the highest wear rate (1.87×10 −3 mm 3 /Nm) was observed in Ti 3 SiC 2 /Ti 3 SiC 2 friction pair. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed two main wear mechanisms: mechanical wear and oxidation wear. Mechanical wear was the main mechanism for sliding against Ti 3 SiC 2 , Si 3 N 4 , or Al 2 O 3 . Grain removal was a significant tribological character of self-mated Ti 3 SiC 2 friction pair. For Ti 3 SiC 2 /SiC friction pair, oxide wear played a more important role and more oxides were formed than those in other friction pairs. Oxide films protected the surface of Ti 3 SiC 2 /SiC friction pair from direct contact, and decreased wear rate and friction coefficient.