Insight into tribological and corrosion behaviour of binderless TiCxNy ceramic composites processed via pulsed electric current sintering technique
Gadifele Nicolene Mekgwe, Samuel Olukayode Akinwamide, Ojo Jeremiah Akinribide, Peter Apata Olubambi
Abstract
The study presents the corrosion behaviour and wear response of pulsed electric current sintered binderless TiC50N50, TiC70N30, and TiC90N10 based ceramic composites, consolidated by spark plasma sintering (SPS), and the relative densities were evaluated using the Archimedes principle. The microstructural evolutions of the sintered samples were examined through various microscopy techniques, and their susceptibility to corrosion in aggressive chloride environment was assessed using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The microstructural examination of the specimens showed the presence of different phases within the titanium carbonitride (TiCN) cermets. The wear resistance evaluated using the frictional coefficient (COF) and calculated wear rate showed that the specimens exhibited an improved resistance. The specimens further showed enhanced resistance to corrosion in the test electrolyte, as the TiC50N50 cermet displayed enhanced resistance to the aggressive chloride ions in comparison to the other specimens.