Friction and Wear of Some Ferrous-Base Metallic Glasses

Abstract

Sliding-friction experiments, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and electron microscopy and diffraction studies were conducted with ferrous-base metallic glasses (amorphous alloys) in contact with aluminum oxide at temperatures to 750°C in a vacuum. Sliding-friction experiments were also conducted in argon and air atmosphere.

The results of the investigation indicate that the coefficient of friction increases with increasing temperature to 350°C in vacuum. The increase in friction is due to an increase in adhesion resulting from surface segregation of boric oxide and/or silicon oxide to the surface of the foil. Above 500°C, the coefficient of friction decreased rapidly. The decrease correlates with the segregation of boron nitride to the surface. Contaminants can come from the bulk of the material to the surface upon heating and impart boric oxide and/or silicon oxide at 350°C and boron nitride above 500°C. The segregation of contaminants is responsible for the friction behavior. The amorphous alloys have superior wear resistance to the crystalline 304 stainless steel. The relative concentrations of the various constituents at the surfaces of the amorphous alloys are very different from the nominal bulk compositions.

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in Hartford, Connecticut, October 18–20, 1983

Notes

Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in Hartford, Connecticut, October 18–20, 1983