Impact of Wire-EDM on Tribological Characteristics of ZrO2-based Composites in Dry Sliding Contact with WC–Co-Cemented Carbide

The effect of surface conditions and secondary phase addition on the dry sliding friction and wear characteristics of five yttria-stabilized ZrO 2 -based composites with 40 vol% WC, TiCN or TiN was investigated using an ASTM G133 pin-on-flat sliding contact configuration. WC–6wt%Co-cemented carbide pins were used as mating material. The friction and wear level were higher for wire-EDMed ZrO 2 -based composites compared to their equivalent ground specimens. This finding could be correlated to flexural strength measurements, revealing strong discrepancy between wire-EDMed and ground surfaces. The most favorable tribological characteristics were encountered with ZrO 2 –WC composites compared to ZrO 2 –TiCN and ZrO 2 –TiN grades.