Friction and Wear Behavior of Bulk Ti3AlC2 under the Lubrication of Ethanol

The friction and wear behavior of bulk Ti3AlC2 under dry sliding and lubrication of water and ethanol was evaluated by using an SRV oscillating friction and wear tester. The morphology and chemical composition of the worn surfaces of Ti3AlC2 and counterparts were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometry. The relationship between the viscosity and lubricity of water and ethanol was briefed. Results show that Ti3AlC2/Si3N4, Ti3AlC2/Al2O3, and Ti3AlC2/GCr15 pairs exhibited poor wear resistance under dry sliding and water lubricated condition, but they had excellent wear resistance and lowered friction coefficient as well under ethanol lubricated condition. The reason might lie in that the pullout and fracture of Ti3AlC2 grains and transfer of the counterparts to Ti3AlC2 were greatly inhibited under the lubrication of ethanol.