Dry Friction Behaviour of Reaction-Bonded Silicon Carbide at High Temperature

The dry friction behaviors of reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RB-SiC) with different particle sizes were studied at high temperature using pin-on-dick friction testing method. The results showed that the friction coefficient of RB-SiC was the highest at 300°C, and lower at room temperature and 600°C, but the wear rate of RB-SiC would be increased with the increase of temperature. The XRD analysis of grits showed that there was only the amorphous silica in grits at room temperature, whereas the amorphous and crystal silica combined in grits tested at 600 °C. The wear mechanisms of RB-SiC at room temperature and elevated temperature were analyzed by of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation on worn surface morphology of RB-SiC.