Sliding friction and wear behaviour of Titanium-Zirconium-Molybdenum (TZM) alloy against Al2O3 and Si3N4 balls under several environments and temperatures

- The tribological properties of TZM alloy are investigated at room and elevated temperatures.
- TZM alloy has adhesive character when sliding against the Al2O3 ball.
- A mild abrasion mode is predominated when reciprocating against the Si3N4 ball.

Due to its resistant to thermal shock and strength at elevated temperature, Titanium-Zirconium-Molybdenum (TZM) alloy is used for hot-work tooling up to 1500 °C. The friction and wear behaviour of the TZM alloy reciprocating against Al2O3 and Si3N4 in different conditions were investigated. It has an adhesion and/or oxidation character with a high coefficient of friction when dry sliding against an alumina ceramic ball. It is characterised with reduced wear in an abrasion mode when reciprocally sliding against a Si3N4 ceramic ball. In addition, the friction and wear between TZM and an Al2O3 ball under unidirectional sliding conditions can be reduced when lubricating molybdenum oxides was formed at higher temperature i.e. 600 °C. Finally, the friction and wear mechanisms involved are discussed.