Mo
5Si
3 particle reinforced Si
3N
4 matrix composite was fabricated by sintering molybdenum solution-infiltrated porous Si
3N
4, and the microstructure, mechanical properties, sliding wear and micro-tribological behaviors of 2.8 mass%Mo
5Si
3-Si
3N
4 composite were studied. Because the grain boundary glass phases protruded from the surface approximately few nanometers compared with the Si
3N
4 grain after polishing, the grain boundary phases contacted with the sliding pair and failed earlier than the Si
3N
4 grains during the sliding wear. The failures of the grain boundary phases decreased the bonding of the Si
3N
4 grains, and accelerated the failure of Si
3N
4 grains. The severe failure of grain boundary phases indicated that the wear of the Si
3N
4 composite mainly depend on the grain boundary. By incorporating the Mo
5Si
3 particle to the grain boundary phases of Si
3N
4, not only the mechanical properties, but also the wear behaviors were improved. The friction coefficient and the wear rate of the Mo
5Si
3-Si
3N
4 composite were 0.52, 8.9×10
−9 mm
2/N, respectively, under dry condition, both values∼15% lower than those for the normal sintered Si
3N
4. The microtribological behavior of Mo
5Si
3-Si
3N
4 composite was evaluated using the friction force microscope, and the results indicated that the friction coefficient of Mo
5Si
3 was about 0.34∼0.47, lower than that of the Si
3N
4 grain. Mo
5Si
3 particle showed the lower friction resistance, and exhibited the self-lubricant behavior during the sliding wear.
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