Effect of humidity on the wear of silicon nitride-based ceramics

Abstract

The aim of the presented research work, connecting to the Si₃N₄ based ceramics, was to investigate the effect of the different enviromental factors on the wear process. During the application of technical ceramics interaction often occurs between the friction pairs contacting without lubricant in wetting media. Tribological tests were carried out by fretting method at room temperature with a normal load of 10 N in air of 3, 50 and 99,5% relative humidity. The effect of humidity on the wear of silicon nitride-based ceramics was inevitably demonstrated during the investigations, which was ascribed to the nature of the tribochemical wear.