An Investigation of Methods to Improve the Wear Resistance of Gas-Bearing Ceramic Materials

Abstract

Ceramic materials, or more particularly aluminum oxides, have found application as a practical gas-bearing material because of the dimensional stability, low coefficient of friction, high hardness, and ability to attain good surface finish that these materials possess. This paper reports on an investigation of a number of methods designed to improve the resistance of aluminum oxide to damage from sliding contact, and hence improve the start-stop life characteristics of gas-bearing assemblies. These methods include heat-treatment, neutron irradiation treatment, gold plating, and coating of alumina surfaces by means of a chemical vapor deposition technique, in order to increase the wear resistance of the material. A brief mention is also made of the effect of machining techniques as they relate to the finish, and hence to the wear resistance, of gas-bearing parts.