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Tribological characteristics of zirconia-yttria ceramics

Journal Article · · American Ceramic Society Bulletin
OSTI ID:72454
 [1];  [2]
  1. 3M Industrial and Consumer Sector, St. Paul, MN (United States)
  2. Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA (United States)

This study was initiated to understand the wear phenomena of partially stabilized zirconia sliding against itself. A generic laboratory ball-on-ring (pin-on-disk) system was used for the testing of zirconia sintered balls and HIPed rings. Experimental design assessed the effect of various testing variables and material characteristics on the friction and wear resistance of zirconia. The coefficient of friction and wear of yttria-stabilized zirconia sliding against itself are sensitive to testing conditions, particularly the environment. Water induces the severest wear damage, probably because of low-temperature degradation. Testing in air produced extensive damage attributed to the material`s poor thermal shock resistance and low thermal conductivity. Although paraffin oil produces the lowest coefficient of friction and minimum wear volume as compared to air and water, those values are higher than acceptable in real life applications. The predominant mode of wear damage is abrasive for the pressureless-sintered balls and adhesive for the HIPed matting surface, with plastic deformation and cracking of the adhering material. Water promotes some tribochemical reaction and grain pullout. However, details of such damage have not been quantified. Further investigation of the tribochemical effects observed in this material is recommended when testing in water. From the limited data obtained here, processing routes, which produce differences in the material`s strength and hardness (HIPing vs sintering), do not appear to produce a difference in wear resistance.

OSTI ID:
72454
Journal Information:
American Ceramic Society Bulletin, Journal Name: American Ceramic Society Bulletin Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 74; ISSN 0002-7812; ISSN ACSBA7
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English