Wear damage mechanisms in 3Y-TZP ceramics

Abstract

Tribological behaviour of two 3Y-TZP materials (polycrystalline zirconia stabilized by 3% of yttria) with different heat treatments (i.e. different grain size) has been studied using ball-on-disc technique in dry conditions at different sliding speeds. The wear regimes as a function of speed have been identified. The wear damage increased significantly with increasing sliding speed. The mild-to-severe wear transition occurred at the wear rate of ~10-5 mm3/mN which is in accordance with literature data. The wear damage micromechanisms corresponding to various degrees of wear have been studied and are discussed in detail. It has been found that at the low wear regime both materials behave identically, under more severe conditions, however, the material with finer grains exhibited better wear resistance.