Wear Resistance of Carbon Steels and Structure Parameters of Their Surface Layer After High Current Density Sliding

Abstract

Dry sliding of carbon steels under the action of an AC current of a contact density higher than 100 A/cm² is realized. It is shown that the contact layer is easily deteriorated in high-carbon steels. This becomes evident as lower wear resistance compared to that of low-carbon steels. There are signs of a developing liquid phase on the worn surface. Using the methods of Auger spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, it is demonstrated that a high content of carbon in the initial steel structure gives rise to formation of a large amount of γ-Fe (and)as well to a high concentration of carbon near the sliding surface.