The effect of pH on the wear of water-lubricated alumina and zirconia ceramics
S. Novak, M. Kalin
Tribology Letters 17 (2004) 727–732.
AbstractThe effects of tribochemically induced dissolution of alumina and zirconia ceramics, and the surface-charge modulation within the tribocontact were investigated using a reciprocating sliding test in various chemical environments. For the pH range 1-13, the wear rate in both materials was observed to vary by as much as an order of magnitude, with the highest wear being observed at the isoelectric point of each material. The observed results at extreme pH values can be understood in terms of localized chemical dissolution of each material, assisted by mechanical microcracking, whereas the highest wear rate at around the isoelectric point results mainly from the formation and fracture of the tribochemical layer.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11249-004-8080-2