Tribological Properties and Testing of Bearings Fabricated from Hot-Pressed Silicon Nitride-Based Ceramics

摘要

Results of studies of tribological properties of hot-pressed silicon nitride-based ceramics for fabrication of rolling bearings are reported. Recently, silicon nitride has gained wide acceptance with foreign manufacturers as the material for fabricating bearings of various type. This ceramic material is remarkable for its high hardness and resistance to wear, high resistance to strain at elevated temperatures, and low density, for example, in comparison with steel. Another important advantage of this material is its high and sufficiently stable mechanical properties which are associated with the finely dispersed structure, enhanced crystallinity. and infusibility. The high hardness combined with low abradability allows machining to a high-surface finish and an extended service life. Furthermore, silicon nitride is an electric insulator with high resistance to corrosive chemical attack.