Tribological properties of ZrO2 (Y2O3)–Mo–BaF2/CaF2 composites at high temperatures

ZrO2 (Y2O3) with different contents of BaF2/CaF2 and Mo were fabricated by hot pressed sintering, and the tribological behavior of the composites against SiC ceramic was investigated from room temperature to 1000 °C. It was found that the ZrO2 (Y2O3)–5BaF2/CaF2–10Mo composite possessed excellent self-lubricating and anti-wear properties. The low friction and wear were attributed to enhanced matrix and BaMoO4 formed on the worn surfaces.

► ZrO2 (Y2O3)–5BaF2/CaF2–10Mo exhibited favorable tribological behavior from 600 to 1000 °C.
► At 1000 °C, it showed friction coefficient of about 0.28 and wear rate of about 9.46×10−5 mm3/Nm.
► Low friction and wear were mainly attributed to the formation of BaMoO4 on the worn surfaces.