Influence of rare-earth oxide additives and SiC nanoparticles on the wear behaviour of Si(3)N(4)-based composites at temperatures up to 900 degree C

• Published in: Wear Vol. 300; no. 1-2; pp. 155 - 162
• Main Authors: Tatarko, P, Kasiarova, M, Chlup, Z, Dusza, J, Sajgalik, P, Vavra, I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2013
• Subjects: Grain boundaries; Nanoparticles; Oxides; Phases; Rare earth compounds; Silicon carbide; Wear; Wear resistance
• ISSN: 0043-1648

Influence of various rare-earth (RE) oxide additives and SiC nanoparticles on the wear behaviour of Si(3)N(4)-based composites has been investigated under dry sliding conditions at temperatures up to 900 degree C. A significant influence of both the crystalline character of the grain boundary phases as well as the location of SiC nanoparticles on the wear resistance of the materials has been observed. The wear resistance of the materials with crystalline grain boundary phases increased with decreasing RE(3+) for the monoliths as well as the composites due to the higher viscosity and refractoriness of the secondary phases. The presence of the intergranular SiC particles results in lower specific wear rate of composites in comparison with the monoliths. The composites doped with the additives with lower ionic radius such as Lu, Yb and Y exhibited the lowest specific wear rate up to 700 degree C indicating the best possibility of the application of such materials.