Tribological Properties of Al2O3/Graphite-Al2O3 Laminated Composites under Water Lubrication Conditions

High-performance Al2O3/graphite-Al2O3 laminated composites exhibit an excellent self-lubricating ability for moving components, such as sliding shaft sleeves and dynamic seals. The tribological behaviors of Al2O3/graphite-Al2O3 laminated composites should be studied extensively under water working conditions. Here, we attempted to explore the practicability of the Al2O3/graphite-Al2O3 laminated composite as a sealing material from a tribological point of view under water lubrication conditions. The tribological properties and mechanism of friction and wear of laminated composite ceramics were investigated under dry sliding friction, water environment, and suspended particle working conditions. It was found that the Al2O3/graphite-Al2O3 laminated composite has a better friction performance under water lubrication compared to dry sliding because of the separation effects formed by a water molecule film and a transfer film. Meanwhile, the wear rate under dry contact was found to be approximately six times that under water lubrication conditions. Under the water lubrication conditions, the formation of graphite films and water-adsorbed layers improved the anti-wear properties of the laminated materials, and the friction coefficient and the wear rate were as low as 0.16 and 1.76 × 10−6 mm3/Nm, respectively. Under the suspended particle working condition, the solid particles destroyed the graphite lubricating film and abrasive wear dominated the wear mode. The Al2O3/graphite-Al2O3 laminated composite demonstrates a potential for application in dynamic sealing and sliding components.