The
wear behaviour of a fine grained and dense CaZrO
3-MgO composite is presented. Un-lubricated Pin-on-disc tests at room temperature have been performed using 10 N as normal force and 0.10–0.15 ms
-1 as sliding
rate and ZrO
2 and steel counterparts. The coefficient of friction versus the sliding distance and the
specific wear, together with a complete microstructural analysis of the worn surfaces by field emission scanning electron microscopy is reported. The composite presents a
wear resistance similar to other ceramics under ceramic/ceramic sliding contact and improved
wear resistance in contact with steel.
Initial wear is dominated by abrasion independently of the chemical nature of the counterpart. The second stage wear depends on the characteristics of the third body formed. Zirconia leads to a brittle particulate third body with little protective capability. Steel forms a strongly bonded and plastic cermet third body that protects the material limiting the level of further wear.
