Tribological performance of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites containing Ag, Ti3SiC2 and BaF2/CaF2 tested from room temperature to 600 °C

•Tribological properties of TMSC from RT to 600 °C are tested.•ATBC brings about an improvement in tribological behavior of TMSC.•Synergetic effect of ATBC is key to tribological performance of TMSC.•TB shows the best self-lubricating performance and tribological properties.

Dry sliding tribological behaviors of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (TMSC) containing varying amounts of Ag, Ti3SiC2 and BaF2/CaF2 eutectic (BaF2–38 wt.%CaF2) (ATBC) with weight ratio of 1:1:1 against Si3N4 from room temperature (RT) to 600 °C at the condition of 10 N–0.234 m/s were experimentally studied. The results implied that the ATBC could improve friction-reducing and anti-wear ability of TMSC over an extreme range of operating temperatures, which was attributed to the synergetic effect of Ag, Ti3SiC2 and BaF2/CaF2 lubricants. In addition, TMSC containing 9 wt.% ATBC exhibited the best tribological properties over the wide temperature range from RT to 600 °C.

Graphical abstractVariation of friction coefficients and wear rates of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites with temperature: TiAl based alloy (TA), TiAl–3Ag–3Ti3SiC2–3BaF2/CaF2 eutectic (TB), TiAl–5Ag–5Ti3SiC2–5BaF2/CaF2 eutectic (TC) and TiAl–7Ag–7Ti3SiC2–7BaF2/CaF2 eutectic (TD).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide