Abstract: The friction and wear properties of molybdenum dislicide (MoSi₂) against Al₂O₃, SiC and Si₃N₄ at different sliding speeds at 1000℃ in air were investigated on an XP-5 type high temperature friction and wear tester. Morphologies and phase compositions of the worn surfaces of MoSi₂ and its counter-face materials were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results showed that friction coefficient and wear rate of MoSi₂ decreased with the increase of sliding speed and SiC was a suitable counter-face material of MoSi₂ at high temperature. Adhesion and oxidation were the main wear mechanisms of MoSi₂ sliding against Al₂O₃,. However against SiC and Si₃N₄, abrasion, mild oxidation and pitting became the main wear mechanisms of MoSi₂.

Key words: MoSi₂, counter-face material, friction, wear, wear mechanism

Author: ZHANG Houan, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361101, China

E-mail: ha_zhang@163.com

Tribology, Vol. 30, Issue 2, 2010, 174~178