Wear mechanism of Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites showing excellent wear resistance

Journal article, 2019

The Ni 3 Al intermetallic compound is considered an excellent wear-resistant material. The addition of Cr 3 C 2 particles can further improve the wear resistance of Ni 3 Al-based alloys. In order to elucidate the wear mechanism of Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites improved by the Cr 3 C 2 strengthening phase, Ni 3 Al-alloy and Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites were prepared by the hot isostatic pressing process in this study. The mechanical properties and wear resistance of each phase in the Ni 3 Al-alloy and Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites were investigated using a nano-indentation instrument and a pin-on-disk friction and wear tester, respectively. The worn surface morphologies and the hardness of the subsurface layer under the worn surfaces of the Ni 3 Al-alloy and Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites were determined by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a nano-indentation instrument. The results indicate that the hardness of the matrix phase in the Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites is significantly improved by the addition of Cr 3 C 2 particles. The nano-hardness and the elastic modulus of each phase in the Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites gradually increase from matrix phase through diffusion phase to hard core phase. The mechanical properties between the matrix, diffusion, and hard core phases in the Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites present a gradient transition. This kind of structure distribution is good for enhancing the wear resistance of Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composite materials. As for friction and wear conditions in this study, abrasive wear was the dominant wear mechanism, which occurred on the surfaces of the Ni 3 Al-alloy and Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites. The Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites showed a good wear resistant property. The carbide-strengthening phase can block up the cutting action of the wear debris, reduce the interaction between the wear materials, and decrease the thickness of the subsurface layer and the size of the wear debris, resulting in improved wear resistance of Cr 3 C 2 /Ni 3 Al composites.