Abstract

Structural ceramics are increasingly critical for high-temperature moving components in advanced highperformance systems. This study investigated tribological properties of self-mated Al2O3, Si3N4 and SiC ceramics in atmosphere and water-oxygen environments from room temperature (RT) to 1400 degrees C. At RT, intrinsic properties dominated responses. Al2O3 exhibited abrasive wear, while Si3N4 and SiC showed reduced friction through surface oxides. Elevated temperatures promoted grain boundary softening in Al2O3, inducing plastic deformation that reduced friction and wear, whereas delamination wear accelerated in Si3N4 and SiC. At 1200 degrees C water-oxygen, Si3N4 exhibited high coefficient of friction (COF) of 1.23 while SiC exhibited a wear rate of 1.42 x 10(-3) mm(3).N(-1)m(-1). Conversely, Al2O3 achieved low COF (0.39) and abrasion (4.45 x 10(-6) mm(3).N(-1)m(-1)) via AlOOH hydration. Al2O3 maintains performance comparable to its 1200 degrees C state at 1400 degrees C despite slightly intensified corrosion.

Keywords Plus: SILICON-NITRIDE，OXIDATION BEHAVIOR，PARALINEAR OXIDATION，KINETICS，CARBIDE，ALUMINA，WEAR，FABRICATION，FRACTURE，SIO2

Published in TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL，Volume214，10.1016/j.triboint.2025.111358，FEB 2026