Tribological behaviour of post heat-treatment SiAlON ceramics

Abstract

One of the simplest volume modifying process of SiAlON ceramics which can affect the mechanical properties is the post heat-treatment. This can occur in different atmospheres, in this article  the effect of oxidative heat-treatment presents both in terms of material structure changes and tribological behaviour. The post heat-treatment was carried out at 800, 1000, 1200 and 1400 ° C, the wear coefficient was determined with helps of fretting test. From the presented experiments it can be stated that the wear of SiAlON samples treated at 800 ° C decreased, while in the case of the higher temperature treated specimen some material structure changes was occurred, which adversely affected their strength properties and consequently their tribological behaviour.