Title: Brass, aluminium, and mild steel sliding against stainless steel under dry conditions

Authors: J.G. Alotaibi; B.F. Yousif; T.F. Yusaf

Addresses: School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, 4350 Qld, Australia ' School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, 4350 Qld, Australia ' School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, 4350 Qld, Australia

Abstract: In the current study, wear and frictional performances of brass, aluminium, and mild steel metals are investigated under different operating parameters, i.e., sliding durations (0-10 km) and applied loads (0-50 N) against stainless steel counterface under dry contact conditions. The experiments were performed using block on ring machine. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the damage features on the worn surface and categorise the wear mechanism. Thermal imager was used to understand the thermal loading in the interface during the rubbing process. The debris was collected and observed using the scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that the operating parameters influence the wear and frictional behaviour of all the metals. Brass metal exhibited better wear and frictional behaviour compared to others. Three different wear mechanisms were observed, i.e., two body abrasion (brass), three body abrasion (aluminium), and adhesive (mild steel).

Keywords: brass; aluminium; mild steel; stainless steel; dry sliding; dry adhesive wear; wear mechanisms; operating parameters; friction; sliding duration; damage features; thermal loading.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTECH.2015.070630

International Journal of Precision Technology, 2015 Vol.5 No.2, pp.85 - 96

Published online: 15 Jul 2015 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article