Influence of electrical discharge machining on tribological behavior of ZrO2-TiN composites

ZrO2-based composites containing electro-conductive secondary phases have successfully proven their feasibility for electrical discharge machining (EDM) in demineralised water. Samples of ZrO2-TiN composites with 40 vol.% TiN were self-developed and manufactured by wire-EDM. The effect of the surface finishing condition on the tribological characteristics was investigated by comparing the reciprocative sliding friction and wear response of polished and fine wire-EDM'ed flat samples against WC-Co cemented carbide pins using a Plint TE77 tribometer. The experimental results revealed that the surface finishing operation exhibits a significant impact on wear resistance and frictional behavior of the ZrO2-TiN composites. Correlations between wear volume, wear rate and coefficient of friction on the one hand and surface conditions on the other hand were derived.