Preparation and tribological behaviour of laminated Ti3AlC2 crystals as additive in base oil

Laminated ternary compound Ti3AlC2 crystals were synthesised by pressureless sintering the mixture powders of 3Ti/1 center dot 1Al/1 center dot 8C, 3Ti/1Al/1 center dot 8C/0 center dot 2Sn, 1Ti/1 center dot 8TiC/1Al and 1Ti1 center dot 8TiC1Al0 center dot 1Sn at 1400 degrees C with preliminary liquid magnetic stirring mixing. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that Ti3AlC2 prepared from 3Ti/1Al/1 center dot 8C/0 center dot 2Sn has the highest purity, and the addition of appropriate Sn favours the synthesis of high purity Ti3AlC2. Scanning electron microscopy images show that Ti3AlC2 samples exhibit lamellar-like microstructure with thickness of similar to 100 nm. The tribological properties of Ti3AlC2 as an additive in 100SN base oil were evaluated with a ball on disc tester. The results show that the Ti3AlC2 additives exhibited good friction reduction and wear resistance at 5 wt% concentration. Under determinate conditions, the base oil containing 5 wt-% Ti3AlC2 samples presented good tribology performance under the load of 15 N. The improved tribological properties of the Ti3AlC2 samples could be attributed to the formation of tribofilm in friction process.