Y-TZP sliding reciprocatively against various AION ceramics

Abstract

The friction and wear characteristics of various yttria tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP)-aluminium boxynitride (AION) sliding systems were examined. These systems consisted of a Y-TZP sphere reciprocating against three different translucent AION plates. The fully dense AIONs used contained 67.5, 73.0 and 77.5 mol% Al₂O₃ and had a grain size of 28 to 56 μm. The tests were performed at a constant track length, two loads, two frequencies and two different time intervals at room temperature. The humidity was controlled by flushing with dry nitrogen. The total vertical displacement and the friction coefficient were measured continuously and sampled. The worn surfaces were observed microscopically. It was concluded that there is no difference in wear behaviour between the three AION types. It was also concluded that the amount of wear increases approximately linearly with load at a frequency of 1 Hz. The tests at 4 Hz show a stochastic transition between relatively mild wear and severe wear. The observations and data were used to derive a wear mechanism.