Tribological Properties of Sapphire under Dry Friction against Chromium and Zirconium Ceramics

The issues of sapphire friction and wear in contact with chrome steel and zirconium ceramics are discussed in this article. The kinetic microindentation method is used to study the mechanical properties of sapphire in frictional contact in modelling experiments on the indentation of a Vickers indent. Taking into account the anisotropy of the mechanical properties of sapphire, the influence of the load and orientation of the indent on the modulus of elasticity and hardness is analyzed. It has been established that, under dry friction conditions it is promising the use of zirconium ceramics in the supports of devices operating under conditions in which the use of lubricants is impossible. The possibility of using a friction couple of sapphire-zirconium ceramics in friction units operating in open space is noted.