Influence of various counter-bodies on the sliding friction and wear response of M50 steel

Abstract

The primary aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the sliding wear response of M50 steel against three different counter-bodies as function of applied load and sliding velocity. The investigation is essentially undertaken to understand the sliding friction of hybrid bearing and ordinary bearing used in spacecraft and aeroengine. Towards that purpose, M 50 steel was made to slide against three different counter-bodies such as M50 steel, 52100 steel and Si₃N₄, at three different applied loads and at three different sliding velocities. The results show that the friction coefficient of M50 steel decreases with the applied load and the sliding velocity against all types of counter-bodies. The wear rate of M50 steel against Si₃N₄ counter-body increases with the applied load and the sliding velocity. In contrast, the wear rate is generally independent of the applied load and the sliding velocity against 52100 steel and under self-mating condition.