SiC‐bonded diamond ceramics for extreme conditions in subsea applications

Extremely reliable and wear-resistant components are required for subsea pump applications. For this purpose, materials and components were developed and qualified within the framework of a joint project1, which under media lubrication with water containing particles, exhibit the highest possible wear resistance and can thus achieve the longest possible service life. The developed SiC-bonded diamond ceramics have diamond contents of up to 60 % by volume and can be manufactured in the form of a solid material or as graded components containing diamonds only in the tribologically stressed areas. The results show that the investigated diamond-containing ceramics are very suitable for media-lubricated sliding bearings and mechanical seals in subsea applications. The friction values under media lubrication are very stable and independent of tribological loads. In mechanical seal application, SiC-bonded diamond shows significantly better friction performance than the reference material SiC. An outlook is given on demonstrator tests that are currently in preparation.