Abstract
We investigated the wear resistance properties of high-frequency induction heat (HFIH) sintered alumina (Al2O3) ceramic nanocomposites containing various multilayer graphene (MLG) concentrations. The tribology of the monolithic Al2O3 and nanocomposites samples was assessed against spherical ceramic (Si3N4) counter sliding partner at sliding loads ranging from 6 to 40 N using ball-on-disk wear test configuration. Compared with the monolithic Al2O3, the incorporation of 1.0 vol% MLG reduced the friction coefficient by 25% and the wear rate by 65% in the MLG/Al2O3 nanocomposites tested under 40 N sliding load. Based on the mechanical properties, brittle index, and microstructure, the active wear mechanisms for the nanocomposites were analyzed. The MLG contributed in the nanocomposites tribology process, indirectly, by enhancing the mechanical properties and, directly, by reducing the friction between the counter sliding partners. The synergistic role of MLG thin triboflim and twirled MLG for improving the tribological performance of the nanocomposites is discussed.