The effect of flat-on-ring sample alignment on sliding friction break-in curves for aluminum bronze on 52100 steel

The effects of test sample fixturing on the interpretation of frictional break-in behavior are described for dry sliding flat-on-ring tests of CDA 688 bronze on 52100 steel. It is demonstrated that for otherwise similar test conditions (i.e. 10 N load, 20 cm s^?1 velocity, 1 μm polished block surfaces and flowing argon gas environment) tilt of the fixed flat block can affect the break-in duration for friction and for wear because of the rate at which a balance of steady state sliding surface contact conditions is achieved.