Friction and Wear Properties of α-Al_2O_3-Coated SiC Particle Reinforced Nickel Matrix Composites Sliding against Bearing Steel

摘要

In this study, attempt has been made to investigate the effect of SiC particles on the friction and wear properties of Ni/SiC composites manufactured by electrodeposition, especially for the composites with high-temperature treatment. For this purpose, α-Al_2O_3 was coated on the surfaces of SiC particles by sol-gel technology to inhibit interfacial reaction of SiC and nickel at high temperature. Both of the Ni/α-Al_2O_3-coated SiC (Ni/CS_p) and Ni/uncoated SiC (Ni/UCS_p) composites were treated at 600°C to study the resulting wear behaviour. The results indicated that with heat treatment at 600°C, the Ni/CS_p composite had better tribological properties than the Ni/UCS_p composite. It was proved that the uncoated SiC particles have reacted completely with nickel leaving many defects, while the coated SiC particles still remained in the Ni/CS_p composite hardening the nickel matrix and supporting the counterpart, thus improving the wear resistance of Ni/CS_p composite with relatively low friction coefficient and wear mass loss compared to the Ni/UCS_p composite.