Tribological behavior of Polycrystalline diamond – Tantalum composites

Tribological performance of polycrystalline diamond‑tantalum (PCD-Ta) composites manufactured by powder metallurgy and HPHT sintering was studied. Different PCD/Ta concentrations were prepared and tested in a pin-on-disc configuration. The tribological interactions were investigated through depths of penetration, Coefficients of Friction (CoF), wear rates, and microstructural evaluation of pairs. The overall results indicated that tantalum percentage directly influenced the tribological behavior of composite pairs, and higher wear performance was observed in samples with lower binder content. Furthermore, microstructural analyses revealed that all pairs exhibited abrasive and adhesive wear mechanisms, and their intensities were closely dependent on the Ta concentration.