Mechanical properties and tribological characteristics of B4C-SiC ceramic composite in artificial seawater

Abstract

To improve the mechanical properties and tribological characteristics of boron carbide (B4C) ceramic, silicon carbide (SiC) as an incorporation phase was added into boron carbide matrix. The results showed that, the incorporation of SiC phase led to denser microstructure and lower porosity. When SiC content was 20 wt.%, the bending strength and fracture toughness of the ceramic composite were 447.6MPa and 7.21 MPa·m1/2, respectively. Under seawater lubrication, the friction coefficient of B4C-20%SiC was lowered to 0.052, and the wear rate of ceramic composite was lower than the magnitude of 10−6mm3/Nm. The excellent tribological performance was attributed to lubricating, cooling of seawater, and tribochemical reaction.

Keywords

• boron carbide
• silicon carbide
• toughness
• friction and wear
• seawater