The Effect of Sintering Time on Wear Resistance of Silicon Nitride

The effect of sintering time on the chosen mechanical and tribological properties of silicon nitride (Si3N4) with 5 wt.% of yttrium aluminium garnet (Y3Al5O12) ceramics was investigated. The Si3N4 ceramics sintered for shorter time contained a larger portion of untransformed a-Si3N4 phase which has higher hardness compared to the tougher β-Si3N4 phase. The fracture toughness of Si3N4 ceramics increased with the prolongation of its sintering time. The microcutting wear mechanisms predominated during the grinding of the Si3N4 ceramics with the Al2O3 abrasives. The hardness of ceramic material had a great effect on its wear resistance. The wear of ceramics at friction with 18Cr-8Ni type of austenitic stainless steels was several times higher compared to friction with 14Cr type of ferritic stainless steel. Under these conditions, the microcracking wear mechanisms predominated.