Tribological Behavior of NiMoAl-Based Self-Lubricating Composites

[Image: see text] The present study focused on the development of NiMoAl-based self-lubricating composites using solid lubricants as the second phase by powder metallurgy. For this, Cr(2)AlC MAX phase, Cr(2)AlC–Ag, and MoS(2) powders were mixed with the NiMoAl-based matrix and subsequently hot pressed to produce bulk composite samples. The average hardness and wear resistance of the matrix were found to be increased with the addition of MoS(2), Cr(2)AlC MAX phase, and Cr(2)AlC–Ag powder to the NiMoAl matrix. The addition of Cr(2)AlC to NiMoAl was more effective in improving the wear resistance than MoS(2). The addition of Cr(2)AlC and Cr(2)AlC–Ag has increased the hardness by about 75% than that with the addition of NiMoAl alloy. A scanning Kelvin probe system was used to study the surface properties of the tribofilm in detail through work function mapping from the edge area to the wear area (groove). Among all the samples, the one with the addition of Cr(2)AlC–Ag powder to the NiMoAl matrix possesses the best tribo-mechanical properties. Cr(2)AlC–Ag composite addition to NiMoAl was found to decrease the wear rate by one-third and to reduce the coefficient of friction by one-fourth, compared to the base NiMoAl alloy. This was attributed to the high-sintered density and formation of strong tribofilms consisting of mixed oxides such as Ag(2)MoO(4) and Al(2)O(3), as confirmed by micro Raman spectra.