Wear-Resistant TiCN-Based Ceramic Materials for High-Load Friction Units

The tribological properties of matrix and skeletal titanium carbonitride composites were studied in dry friction conditions in air. Experiments on wetting of the TiCN-Cr3C2 composite by nickel-chromium alloys and copper using the sessile drop method were performed to choose matrix composition and ascertain whether the samples could be produced by impregnation of the porous skeleton. The sessile drop experiments showed that nickel and its alloys formed a low contact angle on the TiCN-Cr3C2 composite (theta approximate to 8 degrees). In particular, Ni3Al intermetallic had theta < 5 degrees, allowing it to be used as a metal matrix. The same situation was observed for copper. A technique was developed for producing TiN-Cr3C2 composites by impregnation of the porous skeleton with Ni3Al and copper melts, and the tribological behavior of the cermets was tested in dry friction conditions. When the starting composite was impregnated with Ni3Al intermetallic, the friction coefficient decreased (mu = = 0.25). Structural studies were conducted with a MIM-10 metallographic microscope and X-ray diffraction with a DRON-2 diffractometer. The hardness and contact area thickness were measured employing a Falcon 9 hardness tester (manufactured in the Netherlands). Thin cross sections were made to examine the structure and phase composition of the contact area. The structure was analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effect exerted by hardness of the counterface (steel 45, 40Kh, ShKh15) on the tribological properties of the TiCN-Cr3C2 composite was established. When steel hardness was 60 HRC, the friction coefficient increased with friction distance. These results were, however, obtained at low speeds and loads. Friction losses decreased with loading increasing from 2 to 6 MPa at 12 m/sec: friction coefficient reduced to 0.23. The TiCN-20% Cr3C2 cermets impregnated with Ni3Al may be recommended as antifriction materials for use in high-speed and high-load friction units.