Tribological and hydrothermal behaviour of silicon carbide under water lubrication

In this study the tribological and hydrothermal behaviour of silicon carbide was examined. No significant reaction layer was found after tribochemical experiments conducted on sintered silicon carbide (SSiC) and after hydrothermal treatment using a hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC). Mechanical contact of sliding parts induced superficial amorphisation and chemical analysis showed a slight increase in oxygen content within the topmost part of the surface. Static experiments using single-crystal silicon carbide (SCSiC) and a hydrothermal diamond anvil cell revealed an active oxidation mechanism and silica as the result of solution and precipitation.