Tribo-oxide Competition and Oxide Layer Formation of Ti3SiC2/CaF2 Self-Lubricating Composites during the Friction Process in a Wide Temperature Range

Ti3SiC2/CaF2 composites were prepared by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. Both the microstructure of Ti3SiC2/CaF2 and the influence of test temperature on the tribological behavior of the Ti3SiC2/CaF2composites were investigated. The synergistic effect of friction and oxidation was evaluated by analyzing the worn surface morphology. The results showed that Ti3SiC2/CaF2 were still brittle materials after adding CaF2, which was in agreement with Ti3SiC2. The hardness, relative density, flexural strength and compressive strength of the Ti3SiC2/CaF2 composites were slightly lower than those of Ti3SiC2, and the addition of CaF2 decreased the decomposition temperature of Ti3SiC2 from 1350 to 1300 °C. Simultaneously, as the temperature of the test increased, the friction coefficient of Ti3SiC2/CaF2 showed a downward trend (from 0.81 to 0.34), and its the wear rate was insensitive.