Evaluation of sintering temperature and tribological properties of ceramic materials with Cr(2)O(3), SiO(2) and MnO(2) additive compounds

Advanced ceramics such as alumina are widely in use in the design of components for high engineering applications mainly because of their high wear resistance, high compressive strength, low specific density and high temperature capability. Processing and manufacturing of pure alumina products is a difficult and expensive task. Therefore, additional compounds are added to alumina to achieve a more complex component design and to minimise the product processing and manufacturing costs. This paper examines the effects of speed, load values and the addition of Cr2O3, SiO2 and MnO2 compounds on the friction and wear behaviour of alumina ceramic. Wear tests for alumina and alumina samples containing w1.5% Cr2O3 w3% SiO2 and w1.5% MnO2 compounds was carried out on a pin-on-disc machine. Tribological tests were under 2.5, 5 and 10N loads and at 0.5, 0.75 and 1m/Sec speeds. The specific wear rates were deduced from mass loss. The wear rate for alumina without additional compounds was in the order of 10-8 to 10-7mm2/N, while the wear rate values for alumina with additional compounds were in the order of 10-6. Moreover, the wear rate showed more sensitivity to the applied load, particularly at low sliding speeds. Furthermore, it is concluded that a 20 per cent decrease in the sintering temperature resulted in 300 per cent increase in the specific wear rate of alumina ceramic material.