ZrO2 (Y2O3)–MoS2–CaF2 self-lubricating composite coupled with different ceramics from 20 °C to 1000 °C

Tribological properties of ZrO2 (Y2O3)–MoS2–CaF2 composite sliding against commercial SiC, Si3N4 and Al2O3 ceramic balls was investigated from room temperature to 1000 °C. The results show that the friction and wear behavior of the ZrO2 (Y2O3) composite has a great difference. Among the three ceramic balls, the composite coupled with Al2O3 has the best comprehensive performances with coefficient of frictions between 0.25 and 0.40 and wear rates between 1.71×10−6 and 6.68×10−5 mm3/(Nm) from 20 °C to 1000 °C. The wear mechanisms of the three tribo-systems were investigated in detail.