Micro-Analysis of the Contact Zone of Tribologically Loaded Second-Phase Reinforced Sol-Gel-Abrasives

Abrasives manufactured via the Sol-Gel route have increased the grinding efficiency of conventional abrasive grinding tools to a remarkable degree in the past ten years. Little is known, however, about detailed wear mechanisms of the abrasive on a nanometer scale. Sliding tests on a pin-on-disk tribometer and single grit scratching tests have therefore been performed in order to identify the wear mechanisms of these innovative materials. TEM-analysis has revealed that severe plastic deformation combined with both crack bridging and crack deflecting effects in the second phase characterise the abrasive rim zone. The surface of the abrasive is covered with an oxide debris layer which substantially improves the tribological behaviour.