Reciprocating friction and wear behavior of reaction-formed SiC ceramic against bearing steel ball

The friction and wear behavior of mesocarbon microbeads-based reaction-formed SiC ceramic was investigated. The SiC, C and Si phase contents varied in the SiC ceramics. The results indicated that when the hard SiC phase content increased, the local contact area increased and the contact pressure decreased, resulted in lower friction coefficient and wear rate. SiC ceramics mainly had abrasive, adhesive and plowing wear during dry sliding. There was Fe-rich not graphite-rich MML formation on the worn surfaces, which contributed to the reduction of the contact pressure and friction force. Lubricant effect of C phase and adhesive wear generated by Si phase were not clearly seen. Besides, the friction and wear behavior were also related to mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, grain size and humidity-driven tribo-reactions.