Tribological behavior of Ni3Al matrix self-lubricating composites containing WS2, Ag and hBN tested from room temperature to 800 °C

Ni3Al matrix self-lubricating composites (NMSC) containing varied amounts of WS2, Ag and hBN (WAh) with weight ratio of 1:1:1 were fabricated by in situ technique using spark plasma sintering. The friction and wear properties of NMSC against the commercial Si3N4 ceramic ball at the load of 10 N and sliding speed of 0.234 m/s for 80 min from room temperature to 800 °C were investigated. The results showed that the tribological properties of NMSC strongly depended on the addition content of WAh. Moreover, NMSC with 15 wt.% WAh and 5 wt.% TiC exhibited the relatively lower friction coefficients and the less wear rates from RT to 800 °C. The excellent tribological behavior of NMSC with 15 wt.% WAh and 5 wt.% TiC was attributed to the synergetic action of composite lubricants of WAh and reinforced phase of TiC.