Abstract: The erosion and abrasion of Sialon ceramic was studied using silicon carbide particles as
wear media. The erosion of Sialon represents the character of brittle erosion: under the high angle erosion, the erosion wear rate increases
rapidly with the increase of the erosion angle, being maximized at 90℃. The analysis of SEM indicates that the erosion mechanisms of Sialon ceramic
mainly are microcutting and surface grain spalling. In the abrasive wear of Sialon ceramic, under a higher load, there is an exponential relation between
wear loss and wear time; under a lower load, at the beginning of wear there is an incubation during which wear loss is keeping at low level, then wear
loss will increase after incubation. The incubation was discussed. By SEM analysis, the dominating wear mechanisms are plough and surface
fracture shedding.

Key words: Sialon ceramic, erosion, abrasive wear, tiny crack, incubation