Studies of High Temperature Sliding Wear of Low Carbon Nickelchromium Based Alloy Steel

In order to explore the tribological potential of the low carbon Ni-Cr based alloy steel as a wear-resistant material, the friction and wear characteristics have been investigated for room temperature and high temperature condition. Dry sliding wear tests have been conducted on steel using a pin-on-disk machine under different loads of 9.81, 29.43 & 49.05 N, sliding speeds of 1, 3 & 5 m/s and ambient temperatures of room temperature, 200, 400 & 600°C. Weight loss has been measured at the end of the experiment. With increasing the load and sliding speed the hardness of the worn out surface is increased due to work hardening at room temperature. Under low operational conditions, two body abrasive, under high operational conditions oxidative and under moderate operational conditions adhesive wear mechanisms are observed.

The wear behaviour of metallic material is influenced by the frictional force, which is turn, is governed by the hardness & oxidation kinetics of the mating surface. Keeping in view the present investigation was undertaken to find the influence of mating surface on the high temperature wear. Understanding the behaviour of metals and alloys at elevated temperature, Nickel Chromium based alloy have been reported to be widely used as they combine several advantages such as abrasion, erosion & resistance to high temperature corrosive atmospheres. In this article a brief review of the performance of Nickel Chromium based alloy at different speeds, loads and temperatures has been made and compared with the room temperature. It is observed that the sliding speed of 3 m/s is critical sliding speed.