Tribology

Friction and Wear of Silicon Nitride Exposed to Moisture at High Temperatures

Introduction
Whats

the purpose of this study? We know that... Si3N4 + 3O2 = 3SiO2 + 2N2 SiO2 interacts with water

The

goal is to determine the effects of water on Silicon Nitride -For coefficient of friction and wear rate

Purpose

Why is this Relevant? Applications

Silicon nitride automobile applications exposed to water vapor

Bearing/components of gas turbine engines Ceramic coating on metallic components

Experimental Procedure
Used

sliding ball-on-flat apparatus in different environments containing water vapor at elevated temperature Silicon nitride flats and isostatically pressed balls 10,000 strokes (equivalent to 218 meters sliding distance) Environments include: Argon, Air, 2% H20, 8% H20, 34% H20

Friction coefficient vs Temperature

for Argon and air about 0.65 from room temperature to 1273K for 8% H20 about 0.3 from 573-973K Higher after critical temperature at 973K 34% H20 has higher critical temperature

Critical temperature depends on partial

Wear Rate vs Temperature

Increased wear rate is correlated with increased in

Transition to higher wear rate at 8% H20 also seen at 973K

Wear rate is lower in presence of water as compared with argon and air

Wear Grooves and Rolls

Optical micrograph of wear groove with 8% H2O vapor at 973K Cylindrical rolls oriented perpendicular to sliding direction

Geometry of rolls dependent on temperature and water vapor content Rolls provide mechanical support between surfaces and reduce actual surface area contact

SEM of Rolls
SEM of rolls with 34% H2O vapor at 873K Rolls develop perpendicular to the sliding direction Rolls are formed from smaller wear particles that adhere and form the cylinders (ie Playdoh)

SEM of Rolls
SEM of rolls with 34% H2O vapor at 873K Surface shows delamination and resulting debris particles Debris particles are flattened and curled into a roll Many layers of debris can be seen on rolls

TEM Rolls
Image of fractured roll with small debris particles

TEM Rolls
TEM of midsection and end Surface nonhomogenous Smaller pieces are constituents of roll

Friction and Wear vs Temperature

2 transition temperatures for friction and wear At the lower transition temperature, for H2O trials, reduces to about 1/2 the coefficient of friction at room temperature.

Friction and Wear vs Temperature

At the higher transition temperature, for H2O trials, the increases to level of air and argon This higher transition temperature is dependent on the partial pressure of water.

Lower Transition Temperature

What going on at the lower transition temperature?
Formation of Oxide Si3N4 + 3O2 = 3SiO2 + 2N2 The increase in temperature allows: significant oxide formation to reduce and wear H20 vapor to modify SiO2 and lower its viscosity to form rolls No rolls if SiO2 is too hard and brittle

Higher Transition Temperature

What going on at the higher transition temperature?
Rolls begin to break down Bigger and thicker rolls last longer Produced by higher H2O vapor pressure SiO2 layer breaks down Becomes too soft Displaced and squeezed out of contact surface Therefore wear increases

Conclusion
Formation

of rolls is a big factor in reducing

and wear
Formation

of rolls are dependent on H20 vapor pressure and temperature

Therefore

and wear rates of silicon nitride are dependent on temperature and humidity