| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 614772 | Tribology International | 2014 | 7 Pages |
•Mechanical wear dominates in water but tribochemical reactions dominate in ethanol.•Si component in Ti3SiC2 dissolves to form colloid silicic acid in ethanol.•Si3N4 dissolves to form silicon alkoxide and amines in ethanol.
Tribological chemistry of Ti3SiC2/Si3N4 tribopair in two low-viscosity fluids (water and ethanol) was investigated. The chemical compositions of worn surfaces and friction media were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results show that the friction and wear of Ti3SiC2/Si3N4 tribopair in water was moderate while that in ethanol was low. Mechanical wear characterized by pullout of Ti3SiC2 grains was responsible for high coefficient of friction and wear rate. In ethanol, tribochemical products, i.e., colloid silicic acid from Ti3SiC2 and silicon alkoxide and amines from Si3N4 dissolved in the friction liquid and were responsible for low coefficient of friction and wear rates.
