Tribological analysis of SiC and B4C manufactured by Plasma Pressure Compaction

Silicon carbide (SiC) and Boron carbide (B4C) are promising materials for high performance applications, due to the combination of attractive mechanical, physical and electrical properties. Nevertheless, the poor sinterability of SiC or B4C powders, mainly related to high temperatures and holding times required when employing conventional sintering methods, still represents a key issue. The present study aims to assess the wear properties of SiC and B4C specimens produced by means an innovative sintering process, namely the plasma pressure compaction (P2C). Tribo-tests were executed to evaluate the tribological behavior of SiC and B4C in contact with an alternative moving counterpart under a controlled normal load. Several samples for each material with different values of surface roughness were tested. The worn surface, cleaned from debris, was subjected to topographic analysis providing three-dimensional scans of the tracks. Performed analyses have resulted in the evaluation of wear mass loss and friction coefficients, and their dependence on surface roughness.