Tribological Properties of ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4-TiN Composites Consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering

• Published in: Powder metallurgy and metal ceramics 2022-01, Vol.60 (9-10), p.597
• Main Authors: Zgalat-Lozynskyy, O.B, Ieremenko, L.I, Tkachenko, I.V, Grinkevich, K.E, Ivanchenko, S.E, Zelinskiy, A.V, Shpakova, G.V
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Hardness; Nitrides; Silicon compounds; Sintering; Tribology
• ISSN: 1068-1302
• DOI: 10.1007/s11106-022-00272-2

The production of ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4 and ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4-TiN composites by spark plasma sintering and the mechanical and tribological properties of the consolidated materials were studied. The densification of the ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4-TiN composites was found to proceed more intensively in the range 1100-1300°C, and nanocrystalline titanium nitride was the main factor that promoted the densification of these composites. Ceramic 57 wt.% ZrN-43 wt.% Si.sub.3N.sub.4 and 84 wt.% ZrN-16 wt.% Si3N4 samples with a relative density of 0.95 and 0.93 and (84 wt.% ZrN-16 wt.% Si.sub.3N.sub.4)-15 wt.% TiN and (57 wt.% ZrN- 43 wt.% Si.sub.3N.sub.4)-30 wt.% TiN composites with a relative density of ~0.98 were produced. Microstructural studies showed that components of the consolidated ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4 composites were uniformly distributed over the material with an average grain size of 200-300 nm. The ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4- TiN composites had a finer structure, TiN grains being smaller than 100 nm. The mechanical properties of the titanium nitride composites were higher than those of the ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4 materials. Thus, the Vickers hardness and indentation-determined fracture toughness of the composites containing 15 and 30 wt.% TiN were 18.7 ± 1.1 GPa and 5.2 MPa * m.sup.1/2 and 19.1 ± 1.9 GPa and 5.8 MPa * m.sup.1/2, respectively. The hardness of the ZrN-Si.sub.3N.sub.4 composites was ~17 GPa. The tribological properties of the composites were tested with the VK6 hardmetal and silicon nitride. The wear resistance of the ceramic samples directly depended on the contents of zirconium nitride and counterface, i.e., on their physicochemical interaction. When the ZrN content increased to 84%, the tribological properties of the composites improved substantially through the lubricating capability of zirconium nitride. The (84 wt.% ZrN-16 wt.% Si.sub.3N.sub.4)-15 wt.% TiN composite showed the best tribological properties and can be recommended for use in friction units under dynamic loads.