Nanoindentation and tribology of ZrB2 based luminescent ceramics

Abstract Nano-mechanical and wear characteristics of ZrB2 + Al2O3:Cr3+,Nd3+ (Al2O3 co-doped with Cr3+ and Nd3+ ions) luminescent ceramic composites have been investigated using nanoindentation and tribological tests. Nanoindentation was carried out using a Berkovich diamond tip applying continuous stiffness measuring (CSM) mode with a maximum depth of 200 nm. The wear behaviour was studied during dry sliding in the air with a SiC counter body at applied loads of 5 and 50 N, and sliding speed of 0.1 m/s. The nanohardness of the ZrB2 and Al2O3 are very similar with mean values of 34.2 GPa and 32.6 GPa, respectively The Young modulus for ZrB2 is higher with a mean value of 555.6 GPa in comparison to the Young modulus of alumina with mean value of 473.8 GPa. Pop – in effect was found during the indentation of ZrB2 grains at indentation loads from 0.2–8.0 mN. The lowest coefficient of friction was measured for ZrB2 + 8%Al2O3:Cr3+,Nd3+ at 5 N load with value of approximately 0.5. The wear rate of the system ZrB2 + 32 % Al2O3:Cr3+,Nd3+ at 5 N is significantly lower in comparison to the wear rate of ZrB2 + 8% Al2O3:Cr3+,Nd3+ but at a load of 50 N the wear of the systems is very similar approximately 1. 10−5 mm3/N.m. Tribolayer formation connected with debris origin, oxidation and tribochemical reactions were characteristic for both composites with similar chemical composition but different size and thickness of tribolayers.