Effect of Hydrogen on the Wear Resistance of Steels upon Contact with Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Layers Synthesized on Aluminum Alloys

Abstract

The different nature of the effect of hydrogen on the tribological behavior of two carbon steels (st. 45 and st. U8) upon their contact with super solid plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) layers synthesized on two light alloys (AMg-6 and D16T alloys as the analogists of the A 95556 UNS USA and AA2024 ANSI USA alloys correspondently) was investigated in the medium of mineral oil of the I-20 type. To compare the effect of hydrogenation on the tribological properties of the analyzed contact pairs, similar tests were also performed on the same mineral oil with clear water or an aqueous solution of glycerine added to its content. A spinel-type film (hercynite) was formed upon friction of two contacting surfaces—the iron-carbon steels and PEO layers synthesized on the AMg-6 alloy. This film was a reliable protection against wear of the surface subjected to the effect of hydrogen. When steels came into contact with the PEO layers synthesized on the D16T alloy, surface protection against wear was ensured by another mechanism. The phenomenon of selective metal transfer in the friction zone (from one to another friction surfaces) was revealed.