Tribological Behavior and Tribochemistry of Self-mated TiSiC in Ethanol.

The tribological behavior of self-mated TiSiC in low viscosity fluids, that is, water and ethanol, is investigated. The results show that both water and ethanol effectively reduce the friction and wear of self-mated TiSiC. The friction coefficient and total wear rates of TiSiC tribo-pair are 0.82 and 2.17 × 10 mm/N m under dry condition, 0.41 and 6.50 × 10 mm/N m in water and 0.16 and 2.22 × 10 mm/N m in ethanol. As sliding distance is prolonged from 0.5 to 22.9 km, the total wear rates of TiSiC in ethanol can be further reduced. Mechanical wear of TiSiC is partly inhibited in water and greatly inhibited in ethanol. Surface polishing of TiSiC pin and tribochemistry are the two distinct characteristics of self-mated TiSiC in ethanol. The surface film in ethanol is composed of TiO and SiO. Tribo-products in ethanol, that is, silica gel and titanium dioxide, are found. Polycondensation of ethanol by the catalysis of TiO and SiO gives birth to paraffins and olefins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]