Self‐lubricating effect of solid solution elements on tribological performance of Ti3AlC2 over a wide temperature range

Abstract This study explores the feasibility of tribological self‐lubricating over a wide temperature range by doping Si and Sn solid solution components on the A‐sites of Ti 3 AlC 2 to adapt to the severe circumstances. The specimens were sintered at 1450°C for 120 min under a pressure of 30 MPa in a vacuum environment, and their dry sliding tribological capabilities against Al 2 O 3 at temperatures ranging from ambient temperature to 800°C were investigated using a rotational ball‐on‐disk tribo‐tester. The findings demonstrated a constantly decreased friction coefficient of Ti 3 Al 0.8 Si 0.2 Sn 0.2 C 2 throughout the temperature range and admirable antifriction at higher temperatures where wear rates were 1–2 orders of magnitude lower than those at room temperature, which was superior to earlier reported Ti 3 AlC 2 . The predominant friction surface self‐adaptability mechanisms after solid solution treatment were determined to be tribo‐oxidation wear and tribo‐chemical reactions that played a vital role by examining the microstructural evolutions and tribo‐chemical phase composition on friction surfaces at various temperatures. The tribo‐oxidation‐induced generated lubricant film consisting of TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , SnO 2 mixture oxide phases, and aluminosilicates was responsible for the decreased friction coefficient and wear rate.