In this work, we report the report the synthesis, deformation and tribological behaviour of a novel Ti3AlC2-Ti2AlC MAX phase composite metallo-ceramic. The dual MAX phase composite was synthesized by spark plasma sintering under vacuum environment using Ti, Al, and C precursor powders. The deformation mechanism and the tribological behaviour were studied and analyzed by SEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. The transition in friction and wear as well as the operative wear mechanisms involved were further discussed. Detailed analysis of the worn surface showed that the Ti3AlC2-Ti2AlC MAX phase composite is intrinsically self-lubricating. 1.
MAX phase composites Ti3SiC2-TiCx and Ti3SiC2-(TiCX + TiC) were synthesized and consolidated via the powder metallurgy spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The bulk compositions and microstructural evolution of the resulting SPS discs were analysed using Xray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with EDS. The tribological behaviour of the synthesized discs was investigated at room temperature under dry sliding conditions using Al2O3 ball by employing a ball-on-disc tribometer configuration. Postmortem analysis of the worn surfaces showed that the Ti3SiC2 MAX phase exhibited intrinsic self-lubricating behaviour owing to the evolution of easy shearing graphitic carbon at the sliding surface. The addition of TiC delayed the oxidation kinetics of Ti3SiC2 which favours the evolution of graphitic carbon in lieu of rutile and oxycarbide films. Thus, this work shows comprehensively the existence of intrinsic self-lubricating behaviour of Ti3SiC2 and the important role of the secondary phase TiC in the Ti3SiC2 matrix in its tribological behaviour. The wear mechanisms in both composites are dominated by tribo-oxidation triggered by frictional heating. This is then followed by deformation induced wear upon friction transition.
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