Tribological behavior of alpha'/beta'-SiAlON-TiN composites

There are limited studies on the tribological properties of SiAlON-TiN composites. Therefore, in the present study, tribology tests were conducted on a number of alpha'/beta'-SiAlON-TiN composites with different alpha'/beta'-SiAlON phase ratio and TiN content, fabricated with unique compositional design. The influence of alpha'/beta'-SiAlON phase ratios, microstructure, mechanical properties and TiN content on friction and wear behavior was investigated and wear mechanisms were explained. Tribology tests were conducted on computer controlled tribometer under dry unlubricated ambient conditions with a linear reciprocating movement in a ball-on-disc sliding wear configuration and test parameters kept as constant. It was observed that TiN addition (17 wt.%) did not change the friction (CoF) of SiAlON and wear rate and wear volume were observed to increase. Wear mechanisms showed differences with alpha'/beta'-SiAlON phase ratio. Fracture toughness had very pronounced effect on wear resistance.