Experimental study of friction and wear characteristics of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) under lubricated sliding condition

Abstract

Purpose – In the present study, an attempt has been made to examine friction and wear behaviour of Ti-6Al-4V alloy sliding against EN-31 steel under lubricative media of common commercial grade oil (hydrol-68). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Tribological properties of Ti-6Al-4V under hydrol-68 as lubricative media are measured using multi-tribo tester. Lubricating oil samples at different normal loads have also been analysed with the help of laser net fines (LNF) as per ISO 4406:1999. Experiments have been designed by two level full factorial method. Findings – Experimental results indicate that the wear rate of Ti-6Al-4V alloy decreases as sliding speed increases. But it shows typical transition characteristics as the normal load increases; till 30 N wear rate decreases then it increases from 30 to 50 N. Also for all loads and at every speed, the average wear increases as the sliding distance increases. The average coefficient of friction of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy decreases with the increase in sliding velocity and normal load. Lubricating oil analysis indicates that the maximum wear particle size (5-15 μm) was obtained at a normal load of 50 N. Originality/value – This paper shows that considerable reduction in friction and wear is achieved by using common grade oil hydrol-68 as lubricative media. Further, the analysis of lubricating oil using LNF at different normal loads indicates the co-existence of various wear phenomena such as cutting, fatigue, and sliding wear simultaneously.