Development of SiAlON ceramics for tribological applications

Although SiAlON ceramics are potential materials due to good mechanical and chemical properties to be used in tribological applications, their use has been limited so far.In order to solve this problem, wear resistance ? microstructure -mechanical properties correlation was investigated. Wear mechanisms and affecting parameter of tribology were discussed. Consequently, fracture toughness, intergranular phase chemistry and grain size have been found the most important parameters on tribological behavior under existing test conditions. Wear mechanisms of SiAlONs are observed to be changed in according to friction coefficient, intergranular phase chemistry and fracture toughness.Performance tests were carried out for novel developed SiAlON ceramics and the results were compared with available commercial ceramic materials which used in tribological applications. Results showed that novel SiAlON ceramics are more durable and similar cost compared to alumina ceramics and similar performance with silicon nitride and more economic then silicon nitride ceramics. In this respect, the study attributes to solve the tribological problems besides contribute to universal science.