Influence of electrical discharge machining on tribological behavior of ZrO2–TiN composites

ZrO2-based composites containing electro-conductive secondary phases have successfully proven their feasibility for electrical discharge machining (EDM) in demineralised water. Samples of ZrO2–TiN composites with 40 vol.% TiN were self-developed and manufactured by wire-EDM. The effect of the surface finishing condition on the tribological characteristics was investigated by comparing the reciprocative sliding friction and wear response of polished and fine wire-EDM’ed flat samples against WC–Co cemented carbide pins using a Plint TE77 tribometer. The experimental results revealed that the surface finishing operation exhibits a significant impact on wear resistance and frictional behavior of the ZrO2–TiN composites. Correlations between wear volume, wear rate and coefficient of friction on the one hand and surface conditions on the other hand were derived.