An examination of the role of oxygen in the wear of ferrous alloys

Abstract

The wear of SAE 1080 steel under the conditions of unlubricated sliding is studied. The ranges of normal force and speed are 295-980 N and 0.193-1.544 m/s respectively. The specimen configuration adopted is of two coaxial hollow cylinders, 18.42mm mean diameter, rubbing at their annular end faces 2.54mm wide. -- The environment of the rubbing surfaces is controlled by forcing air or oxygen-argon mixture between the specimens. The vibration in the machine is measured. -- Wear debris particles are identified by x-ray diffraction and their size distribution determined. Wear surfaces are studied on an Optical and a Scanning Electron Microscope. -- It appears likely that wear rate is governed by oxidation of an area at a little distance from the hot spot. A correlation has been found between the sliding speed which in turn affects the surface temperature with the wear rate. The surface topography is shown to be a function of speed. -- In an environment of inert gas, the wear is of a severe type. When different mixtures of oxygen and argon gas are forced through the specimens, a significant change in the wear rate is observed. -- The difference in mean temperature of the two rubbing specimens influences the wear rate. The specimen at higher temperature shows lower wear rate.