Abstract
Measurements are presented of the friction and wear during sliding of Stellite 31 on like specimens in air at temperaturesfrom 293 to 1073K. During sliding at low temperatures, metal-metal contact is always maintained under the present conditions. The observed, initially low coefficients of friction and wear rate are largely associated with the close-packed hexagonal structure of the alloy matrix, and the higher frictional values at a later stage of sliding possibly result from a change in structure of the bearing surfaces to face-centred cubic. Work hardening of these surfaces is largely responsible for maintaining the low wear rates in the later stages of sliding. Above an ambient temperature of about 523 K, a stable, adherent, thermally softened oxide layer - a ‘glaze’ - is formed on the bearing areas after a certain time that decreases with increasing temperature. Once the glaze is established, very little further wear occurs and the coefficient of friction remains low.
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