The tribological properties of Ni3Si alloys with Ti addition against different counterface materials under seawater condition

Tribological properties of Ni3Si alloys were examined in artificial seawater condition. The results indicated that the friction coefficient and wear rate increased with increase in applied load and Ti content. The friction coefficient and wear rate of the Ni-Si-Ti alloy were lower than that of Ti6Al4V alloy. It was also found that the friction coefficient was lowest when the Ni-Si-Ti alloy sliding against Al2O3 ball, but the wear rate of the alloy was lowest for the tribo-pair of Ni-Si-Ti/316 stainless steel. The wear mechanisms of Ni-Si-Ti/Si3N4 and Ni-Si-Ti/Al2O3 tribo-pairs were abrasive wear, and that of Ni-Si-Ti/316 stainless steel tribo-pair was adhesive wear.