Low-friction mechanism of silicon carbide and cemented carbide in water

Abstract

The tribological properties of self-mated silicon carbide, self-mated cemented carbide, and cemented carbide/silicon carbide under water lubrication were studied. The three matched pairs could achieve low-friction coefficients (0.01–0.03) under certain test conditions. Additionally, the dependence of the friction coefficients on the rotation speed and load were measured. By combining these results with the observed surface topography and wear measurements, it was determined that the three matched pairs were in the hydrodynamic lubrication. In addition, combined with experiments in ethylene glycol and PAO40, it was shown that the actual viscosity of the lubricant had a significant influence on the realization of low friction. Furthermore, matching materials had an influence on the tribological properties, which may be related to the surface wettability of the lubricant.