Tribological properties of self-lubricating CMC/Al2O3 pairs at high temperature in air

Three different self-lubricating ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering. They are: Al(2)O(3)-50CaF(2), Al(2)O(3)-20Ag20CaF(2), and Al(2)O(3)-10Ag20CaF(2). Tribological tests were performed at temperatures ranging from 20 degrees C to 800 degrees C in air using a pin-on-disk tester. The experimental results show that the addition of the solid lubricants CaF(2) and Ag can evidently reduce the friction coefficients of alumina between 200 degrees C and 650 degrees C but not at room temperature and the wear rate of disks and pins at elevated temperature. The improvements in the friction and wear properties of CMC were due to the formation of a well-covered solid lubricating film. However, breakdown of the lubricating films at 800 degrees C resulted in high friction and wear.