Friction and Wear Behaviors of WC-Al₂O₃ Composite Paired with Si₃N₄ Ceramics and YG6 Cemented Carbide

WC-15wt%Al₂O₃ composite was prepared by vacuum hot-press sintering technique, and then subjected to dry sliding friction and wear tests under loads of 40, 80 N against Si₃N₄ ceramics and YG6 cemented carbide, respectively. The friction and wear behavior of the composite was investigated. The results show that the friction factor of the composite against Si₃N₄ ceramics was relatively high and fluctuated fiercely, whereas when against YG6 cemented carbide, the friction factor was relatively low and stable. The wear rate of the composite against Si₃N₄ ceramics was higher than that against YG6 cemented carbide at a lower load, whearas lower than that against YG6 cemented carbide at a heavier load. The wear mechanism of the composite under both loads of 40 N and 80 N was mainly fatigue wear, exhibiting features of microcracking, brittle fracture and pull-out of grains.