Effect of CNFs content on the tribological behaviour of spark plasma sintering ceramic–CNFs composites

• Published in: Wear Vol. 274-275; pp. 94 - 99
• Main Authors: Borrell, A., Torrecillas, R., Rocha, V.G., Fernández, A., Bonache, V., Salvador, M.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 27-01-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abrasion; Abrasion resistance; Applied sciences; Carbon nanofibres; Ceramics; Ceramic–matrix composite; Exact sciences and technology; Friction; Friction, wear, lubrication; Hardness; Machine components; Mechanical engineering. Machine design; Nanocomposites; Nanostructure; Silicon carbide; Tribology; Wear; Hardness; Ceramic–matrix composite; Wear; Carbon nanofibres; Tribology; Ceramic matrix composite; Volume fraction; Wear test; Composition effect; Ceramic-matrix composite; Experimental study; Carbon; Oxide ceramics; Dry friction; Silicon carbide; Abrasive wear; Wear rate; Sintering; Concentration effect; Friction coefficient; Nanocomposite; Alumina; Ball on disk testing; Sliding friction
• ISSN: 0043-1648; 1873-2577
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wear.2011.08.013

► CNFs/ceramic nanocomposites were densified by spark plasma sintering. ► The tribological properties have been investigated as a function of CNFs content. ► Low wear resistance of CNFs material and CNFs/ceramic nanocomposites have been found. ► The friction coefficient of the nanocomposites with high CNFs content was very low.
Alumina-carbon nanofibres (CNFs) and silicon carbide–CNFs nanocomposites with different volume fraction of CNFs (0–100vol.%) were obtained by spark plasma sintering. The effect of CNFs content on the tribological behaviour in dry sliding conditions on the ceramic–carbon nanocomposites has been investigated using the ball-on-disk technique against alumina balls. The wear rate of ceramic–CNFs nanocomposites decreases with CNFs increasing content. The friction coefficient of the Al2O3/CNFs and SiC/CNFs nanocomposites with high CNFs content was found to be significantly lower compared to monolithic Al2O3 and SiC due to the effect of CNFs and unexpectedly slightly lower than CNFs material. The main wear mechanism in the nanocomposite was abrasion of the ceramic and carbon components which act in the interface as a sort of lubricating media. The experimental results demonstrate that the addition of CNFs to the ceramic composites significantly reduces friction coefficient and wear rate, resulting in suitable materials for unlubricated tribological applications.