Tribological Properties of WC–ZrO2 Nanocomposites

Abstract

In the present work, the fretting wear (mode I, linear relative tangential displacement, constant normal load) of a newly developed nanocomposite is investigated with varying load (2–10 N) and test duration (10 000–100 000 cycles). A detailed morphological investigation of worn surface is carried out using a Stylus surface profilometer, optical microscope, SEM, and electron probe microanalyser (EPMA). A clear transition in friction and wear behavior with load is observed. Based on the worn surface topography and wear debris analysis, the wear mechanisms are proposed. The extremely low wear rate (108 mm3/N·m) along with low wear depth (<1 μm) indicates high wear resistance of nanoceramic composites. The high fretting wear resistance of the nanocomposites as well as the observed tribological properties are discussed in terms of material properties, abrasion, and tribochemical wear phenomenon.