Influence of Graphene Content on the Physical, Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics of SiC-TiB2-TiC Composites

Using spark plasma sintering technology, SiC-TiB2-TiC ceramic composites with various graphene oxide content (0.15, 0.25, 0.5 vol.%) were manufactured, and their microstructure as well as physico-mechanical and tribological properties were studied. Ceramic composite with 0.25 vol.% of graphene oxide showed a relative density of 99.9%, fracture toughness of 6.3 MPa·m1/2, flexural strength of 583 MPa and Vickers hardness of 22.2 GPa. Moreover, this composite showed a coefficient of friction and wear rate of 0.53 and 1.92 × 10−6 mm3/N·m, respectively, under a load of 10 N. Similarly, under a load of 30 N, this composite showed a coefficient of friction and wear rate of 0.6 and 4.05 × 10−5 mm3/N·m, respectively. This research demonstrated that the addition of 0.25 vol.% of graphene oxide improved the physical–mechanical and tribological properties of ceramic composites based in the SiC-TiB2-TiC ternary system, which in turn makes this composite more promising for use, for example, as a cutting tool material.