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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Tribology of ceramics

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5163239

The current state of knowledge of ceramic surface structures, composition, and reactivity is reviewed in this report. The tribological requirements of advanced mechanical systems now being developed (in particular, heat engines) exceed the capabilities of traditional metallic-based materials because of the high temperatures encountered. Advanced ceramic materials for such applications are receiving intensive scrutiny, but there is a lack of understanding of the properties and behavior of ceramic surfaces, with and without lubricants. The instrumentation and techniques available for the study of ceramic surfaces and the influence of processing on the properties of ceramics are described. The adequacy of models, ranging from atomic to macro, to describe and to predict ceramic friction and wear are discussed, as well as what is known about lubrication at elevated temperatures. From this analysis, recommendations are made for coordination, research, and development that will lead to better performance of ceramic materials in tribological systems.

Research Organization:
National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Washington, DC (United States). National Materials Advisory Board
OSTI ID:
5163239
Report Number(s):
AD-A-248985/4/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English