Abstract
Ceramic is an excellent material in respect to its tribological characteristics to support well a lubricative surface layer, because it is hard and chemically stable. Therefore, the natural surface layers on the ceramic, such as adsorbed species, and physically or chemically affected subsurface material layers, effectively lubricate a sliding ceramic surface, in comparison with a metal surface. As examples of lubrication by effects mentioned above, influences of atmosphere, sliding condition, microstructure of materials, temperature, environmental liquid and mating material on friction and wear of ceramics are described in this paper. Tribological consideration is important when ceramics are used not only as wear resistant parts, but also in general application, because the surface damage of cermics caused by sliding contact at handling reduces strength of them.
