Effect of TiC coated MWCNT content on friction and wear behavior of MWCNT–Ti3SiC2 composites

Ti3SiC2 doped with various contents of TiC coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The effect of TiC coated MWCNT content on friction and wear properties of MWCNT–Ti3SiC2 composites was investigated in this paper. The results showed that MWCNT–Ti3SiC2 composites doped with 3 wt.% TiC coated MWCNTs had the best mechanical and tribological properties, and the relative density and Vicker's microhardness were 98.7% and HV1 806.2 respectively. When the counterpart was GCr15 steel ball, the friction coefficient and wear rate were 0.40 and 1.80 × 10−4 mm3 N−1 m−1 at the load of 10 N and sliding speed of 0.234 m s−1 for 20 min at room temperature. Whereas, with Si3N4 ceramic ball counterpart, the friction coefficient and wear rate were 0.52 and 4.87 × 10−4 mm3 N−1 m−1 respectively. The excellent tribological performance could be attributed to the synergetic effect of the enhanced TiC coated MWCNTs and Ti3SiC2 matrix, which provided the composites with good deformation resistance and high load bear capacity, as well as the excellent balance between strength and lubricity.

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► MWCNT–Ti3SiC2 composites were fabricated by SPS.
► MTD owned excellent tribological properties.
► MML was formed on the worn surface of MTD.
► Lubricating films were formed on the worn surfaces of both GCr15 and Si3N4 balls.
► Excellent tribological properties could be attributed to the synergetic effect.