Tribological analysis of SiC and B_4C manufactured by Plasma Pressure Compaction

摘要

Silicon carbide (SiC) and Boron carbide (B_4C) are promising materials for high performance applications, due to the combination of attractive mechanical, physical and electrical properties. Nevertheless, the poor sinterability of SiC or B_4C powders, mainly related to high temperatures and holding times required when employing conventional sintering methods, still represents a key issue. The present study aims to assess the wear properties of SiC and B_4C specimens produced by means an innovative sintering process, namely the plasma pressure compaction (P_2C). Tribo-tests were executed to evaluate the tribological behavior of SiC and B_4C in contact with an alternative moving counterpart under a controlled normal load. Several samples for each material with different values of surface roughness were tested. The worn surface, cleaned from debris, was subjected to topographic analysis providing three-dimensional scans of the tracks. Performed analyses have resulted in the evaluation of wear mass loss and friction coefficients, and their dependence on surface roughness.