Effect of Sliding Speed and Applied Load on Dry Sliding Tribological Performance of TiAl Matrix Self-lubricating Composites

More durable, low-friction self-lubricating mate- rials in modern industry are greatly needed for tribological systems. The current paper presents the tribological perfor- mance of TiAl matrix self-lubricating composites (TSC) con- taining MoS2, hexagonal BN and Ti3SiC2 designated as MhT against GCr15 steel counterface under several sliding speeds from 0.2 to 0.8 m s -1 and applied loads from 6 to 12 N. The results suggested that MhT played an important role in decreasing friction coefficients and wear rates. The covering percentage of transfer layers on worn surfaces varied with the changing of sliding speeds and applied loads, hence resulting in the distinct friction and wear characteristics of TSC. TSC containing 10 wt% MhT exhibited the best excellent tribo- logical performance at 10 N-0.8 m s -1 , which could be due to the formation of the best compaction and largest coverage of transfer layer on the worn surfaces.