Y-TZP sliding reciprocatively against various aluminum oxynitride (AlON) ceramics

The friction and wear characteristics of various yttria tetragonal zirconia polycryst. (Y-TZP)-aluminum oxynitride (AlON) sliding systems were examd. These systems consisted of a Y-TZP sphere reciprocating against three different translucent AlON plates. The fully dense AlONs used contained 67.5, 73.0 and 77.5 mol% Al2O3 and had a grain size of 28-56 mm. The tests were performed at a const. track length, two loads, two frequencies and two different time intervals at room temp. The humidity was controlled by flushing with dry nitrogen. The total vertical displacement and the friction coeff. were measured continuously and sampled. The worn surfaces were obsd. microscopically. It was concluded that there is no difference in wear behavior between the three AlON types. It was also concluded that the amt. of wear increases approx. linearly with load at a frequency of 1 Hz. The tests at 4 Hz show a stochastic transition between relatively mild wear and severe wear. The observations and data were used to derive a wear mechanism. [on SciFinder (R)]