Influence of Ti3SiC2 content on tribological properties of NiAl matrix self-lubricating composites

NiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (NMCs) with various contents of Ti3SiC2 were fabricated by in situ technique using spark plasma sintering. The effects of Ti3SiC2 content on tribological properties of NMC were investigated. The results showed that NMC were composed of the matrix phase of NiAl alloy, enhanced phase of TiC and lubricating phases of Ti3SiC2 and C. NMC with 10 wt.% Ti3SiC2 exhibited low friction coefficient of 0.60 and wear rate of 5.45 × 10−5 mm3 (N m)−1 at the condition of 10 N–0.234 m/s at room temperature. The optimum content of Ti3SiC2 was 10 wt.%. The excellent tribological performance of NMC could be attributed to the balance between strength and lubricity, as well as synergetic effect of enhanced phase and lubricating phases. The wear mechanisms changed with the increasing of the doped content of Ti3SiC2.

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► NMC with various content of Ti3SiC2 were fabricated by in situ technique using SPS.
► Dry sliding friction and wear behaviors of NMC were investigated.
► 10 wt.% Ti3SiC2 was the optimal addition content in NMC.
► Synergetic effect of TiC & Ti3SiC2–C was the key to the tribological performance.
► The wear mechanism changed with the increasing of the doped content of Ti3SiC2.