Influences of Velocity, Load and Counterpart Material on the Tribological Behavior of ZrB₂-SiC Composites

ZrB₂-SiC composites were prepared by hot-pressing using micron-sized ZrB₂ and SiC powders as raw materials. The influences of mated material, velocity and load on the friction and wear properties of the composites were investigated. The results show that the composites exhibited different tribological behavior in sliding against WC-Co, SiC, Al₂O₃ and GCr15. The friction coefficient and specific wear rates of the composites were dependent on velocity and load. In sliding against WC-Co at 0.1 m/s and 5 N, the average friction coefficient and specific wear rates were 0.4 and 2.41×10^–4 mm³/(N·m), respectively. The wear mechanism of the composites was mainly mechanical wear with mild tribo-oxidation wear, and the formation of tribofilm was benefit for the reduction of friction.