The effect of ceramic friction pairs on the tribocorrosion behavior of AISI 304 stainless steel in seawater

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to study the tribocorrosion behavior of 304 stainless steel (SS) sliding against SiC and Si3N4 counterparts in artificial seawater. Design/methodology/approach The tribocorrosion behavior of 304SS sliding against SiC and Si3N4 balls in artificial seawater has been investigated. The tests were conducted using a ball-on-disk rig equipped with an electrochemical workstation. The friction coefficient, surface morphology, wear volume and current density were determined. Findings When 304SS sliding against SiC ball, a smooth surface with a silica layer was formed on the top, which led to the low friction coefficient, current density and small wear volume. For 304SS-Si3N4 tribo-pair, a lot of metal debris was scattered on contact surfaces leading to high friction coefficient, current density and big wear volume. Research limitations/implications This research suggests that the lubrication effect of silicon-based ceramics is related to counterpart specimen in artificial seawater. Practical implications The results may help us to choose the appropriate ceramic ball under seawater environment. Originality/value The main originality of the work is to reveal the tribocorrosion behavior of 304SS sliding against SiC and Si3N4 balls, which help us to realize that the Si3N4 ball as water-lubricated ceramics could not exhibit lubrication effect when coupled with 304SS in artificial seawater.