Load Bearing Capacity of Plasma Nitrided Steelunder Rolling–Sliding Contact

Abstract

The wear behaviour of plasma nitrided low alloy steel has been investigated under dry rolling contact with sliding traction. Particular attention was paid to subsurface shear behaviour during the wear process, and to prediction of the load bearing capacity of the nitrided specimens. A simple model has been developed to describe the influence of hardened depth, strength and residual stresses of the nitrided case, and coefficient of friction on the initiation of shear deformation in the contact bodies during the wear process. Experimental results and the model show that a relatively thick and strong nitrided case is required for the specimens to bear high loads without severe wear. The model also indicates the complex effect of compressive residual stresses on the maximum shear stress distribution in the subsurface induced by the applied forces.