Abstract
The effect of structural anisotropy on sliding wear behavior was studied on uniaxially hot-pressed silicon nitride. Frictional coefficient μ and wear rate ΔV/L under a constant load were measured by a pin-on-disk tester. Under low applied load, the abrasion wear was predominant, in which wear tracks were observed in parallel with the sliding direction and the wear rate depended on the applied load. Under high applied load, the wear rate was constant and independent of load. Adhesion behavior was observed on the sliding surface. The applied load, at which the adhesion behavior was observed, depended on the microstructure of silicon nitride. This transition load became low for the specimen in which many pillar-shaped particles were observed.
