The effect of hardness on the frictional behaviour of metals

It is shown experimentally that hard metals have lower frictional resistance than softer metals owing to stronger interatomic linking bonds. In hard metals the atomic bonds are strong and hence the resistance to adhesion is increased, providing low frictional characteristics. Surfaces hardened by heat treatment are also characterized by low friction. This is explained by metallurgical changes leading to changes in the structure by phase transformation, increase in the surface energy and the induction of internal (residual) stresses.