A study on friction and wear characteristics of nanometer Al2O3 /PEEK composites under the dry sliding condition

The friction and wear properties of the polyetheretherketone (PEEK) based composites filled with 5 mass% nanometer or micron Al₂O₃ with or without 10 mass% polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) against the medium carbon steel (AISI 1045 steel) ring under the dry sliding condition at Amsler wear tester were examined. A constant sliding velocity of 0.42 m s⁻¹ and a load of 196 N were used in all experiments. The average diameter 250 μm PEEK powders, the 15 or 90 nm Al₂O₃ nano-particles or 500 nm Al₂O₃ particles and/or the PTFE fine powders of diameter 50 μm were mechanically mixed in alcohol, and then the block composite specimens were prepared by the heat compression moulding. The homogeneously dispersion of the Al₂O₃ nano-particles in PEEK matrix of the prepared composites was analyzed by the atomic force microscopy (AFM). The wear testing results showed that nanometer and micron Al₂O₃ reduced the wear coefficient of PEEK composites without PTFE effectively, but not reduced the friction coefficient. The filling of 10 mass% PTFE into pure PEEK resulted in a decrease of the friction coefficient and the wear coefficient of the filled composite simultaneously. However, when 10 mass% PTFE was filled into Al₂O₃/ PEEK composites, the friction coefficient was decreased and the wear coefficient increased. The worn scars on the tested composite specimen surfaces and steel ring surfaces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A thin, uniform, and tenacious transferred film on the surface of the steel rings against the PEEK composites filled with 5 mass% 15 nm Al₂O₃ particles but without PTFE was formed. The components of the transferred films were detected by energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results indicated that the nanometer Al₂O₃ as the filler, together with PEEK matrix, transferred to the counterpart ring surface during the sliding friction and wear. Therefore, the ability of Al₂O₃ to improve the wear resistant behaviors is closely related to the ability to improve the characteristics of the transfer film.     

Reciprocating friction and wear behavior of Ti3AlC2 and Ti3AlC2/Al2O3 composites against AISI52100 bearing steel

In this work, the dry sliding friction and wear properties of Ti₃AlC₂ and Ti₃AlC₂/Al₂O₃ composites against AISI52100 steel ball were investigated using a reciprocating ball on flat configuration under different normal loads. The results indicated that the friction/wear processes of both Ti₃AlC₂ and the composites against AISI52100 steel experienced two different stages with an abrupt transition between them under all test conditions. The first stage was characterized by low coefficient of friction (μ) and neglectable wear rate. While the second stage was of much higher wear rate and μ. When the transition occurred, μ increased dramatically accompanied with formation of a mass of debris. In Ti₃AlC₂, the main wear mechanisms during the first stage involved surface materials transfer and oxidation accompanied with subsurface damages by grains kinking, delamination as well as transgranular and intergranular cracks. Accumulating of such contact damages under repeated sliding contact finally leaded to surface and subsurface microfracture of Ti₃AlC₂. Then microfracture controlled severe wear started. Incorporation of Al₂O₃ in Ti₃AlC₂ not only improved wear resistance of Ti₃AlC₂ but also extended the first mild friction/wear stage, because Al₂O₃ particles borne load and restrained large-scale deformation and microfracture of Ti₃AlC_2.     

Characterization and mechanical/tribological properties of nano Au-TiO2 composite thin films prepared by a sol-gel process

Nano Au-TiO₂ composite thin films on Si(1 0 0) and glass substrates were successfully prepared with a facile sol-gel process followed by sintering. The morphology and mircostructure of the films were investigated via X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Au particles, of diameter 14-22 nm depending on the sintering temperatures used, were found to be well dispersed in the TiO₂ matrix, with a small amount of the particles escaped from the film. The surfaces of the films were uniform, compact and crack-free. Hardness and elastic modulus of the films were measured by using the nanoindentation technique. Friction and wear properties were investigated by using a one-way reciprocating tribometer. It was found that the highest hardness and elastic modulus values were obtained for the films prepared with 500 °C sintering temperature. The films displayed superior antiwear and friction reduction performances in sliding against an AISI 52100 steel ball. With 5.0 mol% Au, the friction coefficient was only 0.09-0.10 and the wear life was more than 2000 sliding cycles. The friction coefficient and wear life decreased with increasing sliding speed and load. The failure mechanism of the Au-TiO₂ films was identified to be light scuffing and abrasion. Those films can be potentially applied as ultra-thin lubricating coatings.     

Sliding wear behaviour of ZrN and (Zr, 12 wt% Hf)N coatings

In the present study, the sliding wear resistances of ZrN and (Zr, 12 wt% Hf)N coatings deposited on a hardened AISI D2 tool steel by arc-physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique were examined by a ball-on-disc wear tester. Alloying of ZrN coating with 12 wt% Hf did not change the hardness significantly, but achieved an improvement on adhesion strength and dry sliding wear resistance against steel (AISI 52100-55HRC) and Al₂O₃ balls.     

Friction and wear properties of Fe7Mo6-based alloy in ethyl alcohol

In this study, the friction and wear properties of Fe₇Mo₆-based alloy, Fe and Mo disk specimens sliding against ASTM 52100 steel and Cu and SiC ball (or pin) specimens in ethyl alcohol were evaluated using an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester. The Fe₇Mo₆-based alloy disk specimens exhibited more stable friction coefficients than the Fe and Mo disk specimens when slid against the ASTM 52100 steel ball specimen. On the other hand, the Fe/SiC tribo-pairs exhibited the lowest average friction coefficients (0.14-0.17).     

Friction and wear behaviour of Thordon XL and LgSn80 in sliding against plasma-sprayed Cr2O3 coatings

This paper studies the friction and wear behaviour of two important bearing materials, Thordon XL and LgSn80, in dry and lubricated sliding vs. plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coatings. As a reference, AISI 1043 steel is also studied under the same conditions. SEM, EDS and surface topography were employed to study the wear mechanisms. The results indicate that the Thordon XL/Cr₂O₃ coating pair gives the lowest dry friction coefficient (0.16) under a normal load of 45.3 N (pressure 0.453 MPa) at a velocity of 1 m/s. The dry friction coefficient of Thordon XL/Cr₂O₃ coating increases to 0.38 under a normal load of 88.5 N (pressure 0.885 MPa). The dry friction coefficients of the LgSn80/Cr₂O₃ coating are in the range of 0.31–0.46. Secondly, both dry wear rate under low normal load (45.3 N) and lubricated wear rate under a load of 680 N for Thordon XL are lower than those of LgSn80 in sliding against plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coatings at a speed of 1 m/s. However, under a normal load of 88.5 N the dry wear rate of Thordon XL is much higher than that of LgSn80. Thirdly, a high viscosity lubricant (SAE 140) leads to lower wear for Thordon XL and LgSn80 than a low viscosity lubricant (SAE 30). Finally, the dominating wear mechanism for Thordon XL is shear fracture when against the plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ ceramic coating. For LgSn80 against plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ ceramic coating, abrasive wear is the governing failure mechanism.     

Comparative study of the tribological properties of various modified mild steels under boundary lubrication condition

AISI1045 steel was modified by laser heat-treatment and conventional heat treatment. The friction and wear behaviors of the steel specimens after various surface modifications sliding against SAE52100 steel under the lubrication of liquid paraffin containing sulphurized olefin were comparatively investigated on an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester. The worn surface morphologies of the modified steel specimens were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The elemental compositions and chemical states of some typical elements on the worn surfaces of the modified steel specimens were analyzed with an energy dispersive X-ray analyzer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope, respectively. It was found that the laser heat-treated specimen showed the highest hardness and best wear-resistance. The laser heat-treated and conventionally heat treated AISI1045 steel specimens sliding against SAE52100 steel under the lubrication of liquid paraffin containing sulphurized olefin registered smaller friction coefficients than under the lubrication of liquid paraffin alone. This was partly attributed to the increased hardness of the modified specimens. The tribochemical reaction between the steel and the active elements in the additive was involved in the sliding of the modified steel specimens against SAE52100 steel ball under the boundary lubricating condition, with the formation of a surface protective film composed of various tribochemical products. This also contributed to improve the friction and wear behavior of the modified steel specimens. The steel specimens subject to different surface modifications showed differences in the wear mechanisms under the boundary lubricating condition as well. Namely, the tempered steel specimen was mainly characterized by plastic deformation and pitting, the quenched specimen by grooves and delaminating, and the laser heat-treated one by polishing and mild adhesion.     

Synergistic effect of diisopropyl phosphite and over‐based calcium sulphonate additives on tribological properties of AISI 52100 steel/Al2O3 ceramics

The friction‐reducing and anti‐wear effect of the 500SN base oil containing diisopropyl phosphite (T451) and over‐based calcium sulphonate (KT5447) on AISI 52100 steel/Al₂O₃ ceramic were investigated with a ball‐on‐disc tribometer at a light load of 200 N and a high load of 400 N. The results indicate that the 500SN base oil containing T451 and KT5447 appears to have a synergistic effect on the pair. For the light load of 200 N, the effective composition is 3 wt% T451 + 2–3 wt% KT5447. For the high load of 400 N, the combination of T451 and KT5447 appears to have a synergistic friction‐reducing and anti‐wear effect. The scanning electron microscope images show that ploughed grooves, pitting, spalling and corrosion are the dominant wear modes for both 200 and 400 N. However, no evidence for the formation of the expected sulphur‐containing or phosphorus‐containing chemical compound is found according to X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of the worn steel ball surface at both loads. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tribochemical Reactions and Lubricating Effects of Fluorinated Methanes for Al2O3 Ceramic

It has been found that CF₃CH₂F (HFC-134a) gas is an effective lubricant for several ceramics because of the formation of fluorine-containing tribochemical products. To understand the influence of the molecular structure of fluorine-containing gases on the lubricating characteristics, the lubricating effects and tribochemical reactions of some fluorinated methanes for Al₂O₃ ceramic were studied. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) were used to identify the chemical structure of tribochemical products. It was found that the friction and wear of Al₂O₃ ceramic were dependent on the molecular structure of the reacting fluorocarbon gases. The lowest friction was obtained in CH₂F₂. CHF₃ showed the best anti-wear effect. The results of surface analyses indicate that greater amounts of tribochemical products are produced when Al₂O₃ rubs in CH₂F₂ than in CF₄ and CHF₃ gases. C–C/C–H/carbon and AlF₃, which are mainly formed on the sliding surface in CH₂F₂, are responsible for the low friction. The mechanism of tribochemical reactions of the different environmental molecules on the nascent surface of Al₂O₃ was also discussed.     

Tribological characteristics of low-pressure plasma-sprayed A12O3 coating from room temperature to 800 °C

The tribological characteristics of low-pressure plasma-sprayed (LPPS) Al₂O₃ coating sliding against alumina ball have been investigated from room temperature to 800 °C. These friction and wear data have been compared quantitatively with those of bulk sintered alumina to obtain a better understanding of wear mechanisms at elevated temperatures. The friction and wear of Al₂O₃ coating show a strong dependence on temperature, changing from a mild to a severe wear regime with the increase of temperature. The coefficient of friction at room temperature is approximately 0.17 to 0.42, depending on applied load. The tribochemical reaction between the coating surface and water vapor in the environment and the presence of the hydroxide film on the Al₂O₃ coating reduce the friction and wear at room temperature as contrasted to those of bulk sintered alumina. At intermediate temperatures, from 400 to 600 °C, the friction and wear behavior of Al₂O₃ coating depends on the inter-granular fracture and pull-out of Al₂O₃ grains. At above 700 °C, formation and deformation of fine grain layer, and abrasive wear in the form of removal of fine alumina grains further facilitate the friction and wear process of Al₂O₃ coating.     

Triboemission, tribochemical reaction, and friction and wear in ceramics under various n-butane gas pressures

The triboemission behaviour of negatively and positively charged particles and photons generated by scratching a Si₃N₄ disc with a conical diamond stylus was studied under various gas pressures of n-butane as a model compound of typical paraffinic lubricating oil. The triboemission behaviour of photon emission in a frictional system of an Al₂O₃ ball sliding on Al₂O₃ and Si₃N₄ discs was also measured under various n-butane gas pressures. Further, the friction and wear in the frictional system of an Al₂O₃ ball sliding on an Si₃N₄ disc were studied under various n-butane gas pressures. The triboemission intensities of three kinds of energetic particles, negatively and positively charged particles and photons, become a maximum at a particular n-butane gas pressure. When the n-butane gas pressure is such that triboemission is a maximum, the formation of friction polymer-like high molecular weight products is at a maximum, and friction and wear of the ball decreases to a minimum. It has been concluded that the friction polymer-like high molecular weight products are formed through tribochemical reactions triggered by triboemission phenomena and help reduce the friction and wear of the solids.     

Effect of Counterface on the Tribological Behavior of Ti3AlC2 at Ambient

In this paper, we investigated the effect of counterface of AISI 52100 steel and ceramics of SiC, Al₂O₃, and Si₃N₄ on the tribological behavior of Ti₃AlC₂ at ambient. The results showed that the tribological properties of Ti₃AlC₂ are strongly dependent on the counterfaces. Under present test conditions, the tribocouple of Ti₃AlC₂/SiC exhibits lower coefficient of friction (CoF) 0.40, Ti₃AlC₂/AISI 52100 steel shows a rising CoF from 0.1 to 0.63, both Ti₃AlC₂/Si₃N₄ and Ti₃AlC₂/Al₂O₃ tribopartners exhibit higher CoF of 1.22 in average. The Ti₃AlC₂ exhibits the lowest wear rate sliding against AISI 52100 steel, the wear rate of Ti₃AlC₂ sliding against Al₂O₃, Si₃N₄, and SiC are higher and comparable. The morphologies of the worn surfaces of the Ti₃AlC₂ are observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the element states are analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The wear mechanisms are discussed.     

Friction and wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Cr2O3 coatings against steel in a wide range of sliding velocities and normal loads

This study investigates the influence of sliding speed and normal load on the friction and wear of plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coatings, in dry and lubricated sliding against AISI D2 steel. Friction and wear tests were performed in a wide speed range of 0.125–8 m/s under different normal loads using a block-on-ring tribometer. SEM, EDS and XPS were employed to identify the mechanical and chemical changes on the worn surfaces. A tangential impact wear model was proposed to explain the steep rising of wear from the minimum wear to the maximum wear. The results show that the wear of Cr₂O₃ coatings increases with increasing load. Secondly, there exist a minimum-wear sliding speed (0.5 m/s) and a maximum-wear sliding speed (3 m/s) for a Cr₂O₃ coating in dry sliding. With the increase of speed, the wear of a Cr₂O₃ coating decreases in the range 0.125–0.5 m/s, then rises steeply from 0.5 m/s to 3 m/s, followed by a decrease thereafter. The large variation of wear with respect to speed can be explained by stick-slip at low speeds, the tangential impact effect at median speeds and the softening effect of flash temperature at high speeds. Thirdly, the chemical compositions of the transfer film are a-Fe₂O₃ in the speed range 0.25–2 m/s, and FeO at 7 m/s. In addition, the wear mechanisms of a Cr₂O₃ coating in dry sliding versus AISI D2 steel are adhesion at low speeds, brittle fracture at median speeds and a mixture of abrasion and brittle fracture at high speeds. Finally the lubricated wear of Cr₂O₃ coating increases sharply from 1 to 2.8 m/s.     

Effects of anti-wear additives on friction and wear properties of Cr2O3 coating

The effects of some anti-wear additives on the friction and wear behaviour of plasma-sprayed Cr₂O₃ coating were investigated using a block-on-ring tester at ambient conditions. The results show that zinc dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP), tricesyl phosphate (TCP) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) significantly reduce the wear of Cr₂O₃ coating lubricated by paraffin oil. Additive concentrations as well as sliding time have great influence on the wear. The friction coefficient varies slightly with test conditions. The analysis by XPS of worn surfaces indicates that the wear resistance of these additives is due to the formation of tribochemical reaction films by reacting with Cr₂O₃ coatings.     

Tribological properties of Ni3Al-Cr7C3 composite coating under water lubrication

The tribological properties of Ni₃Al-Cr₇C₃ composite coating under water lubrication were examined by using a ball-on-disc reciprocating tribotester. The effects of load and sliding speed on wear rate of the coating were investigated. The worn surface of the coating was analyzed using electron probe microscopy analysis (EPMA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show the friction coefficient of the coating is decreased under water lubrication. The wear rate of the coating linearly increases with the load. At high sliding speed, the wear rate of the coating is dramatically increased and a large amount of the counterpart material is transferred to the coating worn surface. The low friction of the coating under water lubrication is due to the oxidizing of the worn surface in the wear. The wear mechanism of the coating is plastic deformation at low normal load and sliding speed. However, the wear mechanism transforms to microfracture and microploughing at high load with low sliding speed, and oxidation wear at high sliding speed. It is concluded that the contribution of the sliding speed to an increase in the coating wear is larger than that of the normal load.     

Influence of Steel Type on the Propensity for Tribochemical Wear in Boundary Lubrication with a Wind Turbine Gear Oil

Tribochemical wear may occur at the interface between a surface and a lubricant as a result of chemical and mechanical interactions in a tribological contact. Understanding the onset of tribochemical wear damage on component surfaces requires the use of high resolution techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this study, two steel types, case carburized AISI 3310 and through-hardened AISI 52100, were wear tested using a ball-on-disk rolling/sliding contact tribometer in fully formulated commercial wind turbine gearbox oil under boundary lubrication conditions with 10% slip. With the exception of steel type, all other test conditions were held constant. Conventional tribofilm analysis in the wear tracks was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and no significant composition differences were detected in the tribofilms for the different steel disk types. However, TEM analysis revealed significant tribochemical wear differences between the two steel types at multiple length scales, from the near-surface material microstructure (depth < 500 nm) to the tribofilm nanostructure. Nanometer-scale interfacial cracking and surface particle detachment was observed for the AISI 52100 case, whereas the tribofilm/substrate interface was abrupt and undamaged for the AISI 3310 case. Differences in tribofilm structure, including the location and orientation of MoS₂ single sheet inclusions, were observed as a function of steel type as well. It is suggested that the tribochemical wear modes observed in these experiments may be origins of macroscopic surface-initiated damage such as micropitting in bearings and gears.     

Tribological properties of Fe7Mo6-based alloy under two ionic liquid lubrications

The tribological properties of Fe₇Mo₆-based alloy, Mo, Fe and ASTM class no. 45 cast iron disk specimens were investigated against ASTM 52100 steel balls under the lubrication of two different kinds of hydrophobic ionic liquid: N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PP13-TFSI) and N-N-N-trimethyl-N-propylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TMPA-TFSI). When lubricated with PP13-TFSI or TMPA-TFSI, the Fe₇Mo₆-based alloy disk specimens exhibited lower friction coefficients and lower wear rates than the Mo, Fe and ASTM class no. 45 cast iron disk specimens. The low friction coefficients and low wear rates of the Fe₇Mo₆-based alloy were considered to be caused by the formation of low friction materials such as MoO₃ and FeSO₄ on the worn surface.     

High-temperature tribological properties of spark-plasma-sintered Al2O3 composites containing barite-type structure sulfates

Al₂O₃–50BaSO₄–20Ag, Al₂O₃–50BaSO₄–10SiO₂, Al₂O₃–50(mass%)SrSO₄, Al₂O₃–50PbSO₄–5SiO₂, Al₂O₃–50BaSO₄ and Al₂O₃–50BaCrO₄ composites (mass%) were prepared by spark plasma sintering and their microstructure and high-temperature tribological properties were evaluated. Al₂O₃–50BaSO₄–20Ag composites (mass%) showed the lowest friction coefficients at the temperature ranging from 473 to 1073 K. Thin Ag film was observed on the wear tracks of the composites above 473 K. In addition, the friction coefficients of Al₂O₃ composites containing SrSO₄ and PbSO₄ were as low as those of Al₂O₃–BaSO₄ and Al₂O₃–BaCrO₄ composites at the temperatures up to 1073 K. The thin films formed on the wear tracks of the Al₂O₃–SrSO₄ composites were composed of Al₂O₃ and SrSO₄ phases, while the films formed on the wear tracks of the Al₂O₃–PbSO₄–SiO₂ composites consisted of Al₂O₃, PbSO₄ and SiO₂ phases.     

Tribocorrosion behavior of Ni-17.5Si-29.3Cr alloy in sulfuric acid solution

The tribocorrosion property of a Ni-17.5Si-29.3Cr alloy against a Si₃N₄ ball was studied in comparison with AISI321 stainless steel using a ball-on-disk reciprocating tribotester in 1 M sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) solution. The effects of load and sliding speed on the tribocorrosion properties of the alloy were investigated. The results indicated that the wear rate of the alloy increased while the friction coefficient decreased with increasing load. The wear rate of the alloy increased linearly with increasing sliding speed and the friction coefficient increased in the initial stages and then remained constant with increasing sliding speed. The wear mechanisms were mainly microploughing, uniform corrosion and pitting corrosion. Under the experimental conditions of the present study, the Ni-17.5Si-29.3Cr alloy showed excellent corrosion-resistence and anti-wear ability compared with AISI321 stainless steel.     

Reciprocating Sliding Friction and Wear Property of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si Based Alloys Containing Cu in Water Lubrication

Fe₃Si, Fe₃Si alloys containing Cu were fabricated by arc melting followed by hot-pressing. The friction and wear behaviors of Fe₃Si based alloys with and without Cu addition against Si₃N₄ ball in water-lubrication were investigated. The friction coefficient and the wear rates of Fe₃Si based alloys decreased as the load increased. The wear rate of Fe₃Si was higher than that of AISI 304. The addition of Cu can significantly improve the friction and wear properties of Fe₃Si based alloys and substantially reduce the wear rates of Si₃N₄ ball. The wear rate of Fe₃Si–10%Cu was 2.56 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹ at load of 20 N and decreased to 1.64 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹ at load of 90 N. The wear rate of Si₃N₄ ball against Fe₃Si–10%Cu was 1.41 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹, while the wear rate of Si₃N₄ ball against AISI 304 was 5.20 × 10⁻⁶ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹ at load of 90 N. The wear mechanism was dominated by micro-ploughing. The combination of mechanical action (i.e., shear, smear and transference of Cu) and tribochemical reaction of Si₃N₄ with water was responsible for the improved tribological behavior of Fe₃Si alloys containing Cu under high loads.