Xiaoliang Shi

PREPARATION OF WC-Co POWDER BY DIRECT REDUCTION AND CARBONIZATION

A new approach to produce superfine WC-Co powder by direct reduction and carbonization is proposed. Water-soluble salts containing W and Co were used as raw materials. Tungsten and cobalt oxide powder (CoWO4/WO3) was first formed by a spray-pyrolysis technique, which was then mixed with carbon black and converted to WC-Co composite powder at 950°C for 4 h in N2 atmosphere. The resulting powder has a particle size of 100–300 nm.

Sliding Speed and Load Dependence of Tribological Properties of Ti3SiC2/TiAl Composite

The tribological properties of Ti3SiC2/TiAl composite (TTC) slid against a GCr15 steel counterface were investigated at sliding speeds in the range of 0.2–0.8 ms−1 and loads that ranged from 2 to 8 N. The results showed that the tribological properties of TTC strongly depended on the covering percentage of tribofilm on the TTC worn surface, which varied with changes in sliding speed and load. The tribofilm mainly consisted of Al-Ti-Si oxides, which provided a self-antifriction action that resulted in a reduction in the friction coefficient and an increase in the wear rate.

Tribological behavior of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites reinforced by multilayer graphene

The tribological performance of multilayer graphene-reinforced TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (GTMSC) is significantly influenced by elastic and plastic deformation during sliding wear. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the dry tribological behaviors of GTMSC at different applied loads. The sliding tribology tests are carried out at 4, 8, 12 and 16 N, respectively. The friction coefficients and wear rates are analyzed under the condition of elastic or plastic deformation. The elastic or plastic deformation is determined by comparing the yield stress with the von Mises stress obtained by the numerical simulation method. The results show that GTMSC exhibits different tribological behaviors under the condition of elastic or plastic deformation. It is found that GTMSC shows excellent tribological performances at 12 N for the elastic deformation, resulting in the formation of anti-friction films. Nevertheless, GTMSC exhibits poor tribological behaviors at 16 N due to the plastic deformation, leading to the destruction of anti-friction films and the formation of cracks.

Effect of graphene nanoplate addition on the tribological performance of Ni3Al matrix composites

The main objective of this work has been the characterization of wear behavior of the graphene nanoplates (GNPs) in Ni3Al matrix composites (NMC). The friction and wear behaviors of NMC with the addition of 1 wt.% GNPs against Si3N4 ball are tested under different loads using a constant speed of 0.2 m/s. Tribological test results have revealed that small amounts of GNPs are able to drastically improve the antifriction and antiwear properties of NMC. A possible explanation for these results is that, the GNPs not only provide an enhanced effect for NMC to produce better wear resistance, but also form a local protective layer on the contact surfaces to reduce the friction. The investigation shows that GNPs hold great potential applications as an effective solid lubricant for Ni3Al matrix composites and possibly other alloys.

Tribological Behavior of NiAl–1.5 wt% Graphene Composite Under Different Velocities

The progress in aerospace field requires a new NiAl matrix composite that can stand against wear and decrease the energy dissipation through decreasing friction. In this study, the tribological behavior of NiAl–1.5 wt% graphene composite is investigated at room temperature under a constant load of 12 N and different sliding velocities. The results show that the friction coefficient and wear rate increase with increasing sliding velocity from 0.2 to 0.4 m/s due to the adhesion between the sliding bodies and tearing of the graphene layer. The friction coefficient and wear rate tend to decrease at a sliding velocity of 0.6 m/s as a result of severe plastic deformation and grain refinement of the worn surface. However, at 0.8 m/s the friction coefficient reaches a minimum value and the wear rate increases and changes the wear mechanism to fatigue wear. It can be concluded that various wear mechanisms lead to different tribological performance of NiAl–1.5 wt% graphene composite.

Tribological behavior of a TiAl matrix composite containing 10 wt% Ag investigated at four wear stages

The useful longevity of mechanical components, such as gears and sliding bearings, were related with their tribological behaviors. The tribological behavior of a TiAl matrix composite containing 10 wt% Ag (TiAl–10 wt% Ag) was investigated at the four different wear stages. Wear stages, which were identified by the obtained friction coefficient and wear rate, were divided into the initial wear stage (INITIAL), fast wear stage (FAST), stable wear stage (STABLE) and severe wear stage (SEVERE). The results showed that tribological behavior at INITIAL was improved for work hardening. The friction coefficient and wear rate at FAST were small for the formation of mixed layers containing a solid lubricant Ag. Excellent tribological behavior at STABLE was attributed to the existence of lubricant films containing massive amounts of solid lubricant Ag. Poor tribological behavior of TiAl–10 wt% Ag at SEVERE was obtained for the lubricant film destroyed by the propagation of fatigue cracks. It was found that TiAl–10 wt% Ag, because of the excellent tribological behavior at STABLE, could be chosen as a promising structural material for mechanical components.

Wear and Friction of TiAl Matrix Self-Lubricating Composites against Si3N4 in Air at Room and Elevated Temperatures

More durable, low-friction bearing materials over a wide temperature range are needed for turbine components and other high-temperature bearing applications. The current study reported the tribological properties of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (TMC) containing MoS2 (a low-temperature lubricant, below 500°C), hBN (a medium-temperature lubricant, below 600°C), and Ti3SiC2 (a high-temperature lubricant, above 600°C) designated as MhT against an Si3N4 counterface at temperatures ranging from 25 to 800°C in air. The load was 10 N and the sliding speed was 0.2 m/s for all tests. Tribological studies indicated that TMC containing MhT showed a lower friction coefficient and wear rate in comparison to TiAl-based alloy at all test temperatures, which was attributed to the excellent synergetic lubricating effect of MoS2, hBN, and Ti3SiC2. TMC containing 5 wt% MhT exhibited the best tribological properties over a wide temperature range.

Study on the diamond/ultrafine WC-Co cermets interface formed in a SPS consolidated composite

Nanocrystalline WC-Co composite powder and coated tungsten diamond by using vacuum vapor deposition were consolidated by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process to prepare diamond-enhanced WC-Co cemented carbide composite materials. The interface microstructures between coated tungsten diamond and WC-Co cemented carbide matrix were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). The results showed that there is a transitional layer between the diamond and the matrix, in which the carbon content is 62.97wt.%, and the content of cobalt in the transitional zone is 6.19wt.%; the content of cobalt in the WC-Co cemented carbide matrix is 6.07wt.%, in which the carbon content is 15.95wt.%, and the content of cobalt on the surface of diamond is 7.30wt.%, in which the carbon content is 80.38wt.%. The transitional zone prevents the carbon atom of the diamond from spreading to the matrix, in which the carbon content does coincide with the theoretical value of the raw nanocomposite powders, and the carbon content forms a graded distribution among the matrix, transitional zone, and the surface of diamond; after the 1280°C SPS consolidated process the diamond still maintains a very good crystal shape, the coated tungsten on the surface of the diamond improves thermal stability of the diamond and increases the bonding strength of the interface between the diamond and the matrix.

Formation of Friction Layers in Graphene-Reinforced TiAl Matrix Self-Lubricating Composites

The friction layer structure has been proved to be formed during severe plastic deformation and markedly improves the tribological properties of material. The dry friction and wear performance of graphene-reinforced TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (GTMSC) at different sliding velocities are systematically researched. GTMSC show the best tribological properties and special friction layer structure containing a wear-induced layer and a grain refinement layer with a nanocrystalline (NC) structure under surface after sliding at a sliding speed of 1.1 m/s. Nanoindentation results show that the grain refinement layer has a higher hardness and elastic modulus than the wear-induced layer. This special microstructure of friction layers beneath the surface after sliding leads to a low coefficient of friction and high wear resistance of GTMSC. Moreover, it is deduced that the appearance of an NC structure results in hardening of the material. The formation mechanisms of friction layers are researched in detail. It can be concluded that the formation of a wear-induced layer results from frictional heat and fracture of the counterpart. The formation of a grain refinement layer is due to severe plastic deformation and dynamic recrystallization. Severe plastic deformation results in the formation of an NC structure and dynamic recrystallization leads to grain refinement.

Friction and Wear Properties of TiAl-Ti3SiC2-MoS2 Composites Prepared by Spark Plasma Sintering

TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (TMC) with various weight percentages of Ti3SiC2 and MoS2 lubricants were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The dry sliding tribological behaviors of TMC against an Si3N4 ceramic ball at room temperature were investigated through the determination of friction coefficients and wear rates and the analysis of the morphologies and compositions of wear debris, worn surfaces of TMC, and the Si3N4 ceramic ball. The results indicated that TMC with 10 wt% (Ti3SiC2-MoS2) lubricants had good tribological properties due to the unique stratification subsurface microstructure of the worn surface. The friction coefficient was about 0.57, and the wear rate was 4.22 × 10−4 mm3 (Nm)−1. The main wear mechanisms of TMC with 10 wt% (Ti3SiC2-MoS2) lubricants were abrasive wear, oxidation wear, and delamination of the friction layer. However, the main wear mechanisms of TMC without Ti3SiC2 and MoS2 lubricants were abrasive wear and oxidation wear. The continuous friction layer was not formed on the worn surfaces. The self-lubricating friction layer on the frictional surface, different phase compositions and hardness, as well as density of TMC contributed to the change in the friction coefficient and wear rate.