Effect of Cu Particles Precipitation on Wear Behaviour of Fe-3mass%Cu under Dry Sliding Condition

Abstract

Effect of peak-aged and over-aged Cu particles on wear behaviour of ferritic iron was investigated by means of Pin-on-Disc wear test under dry sliding condition. It was found that hardness of the peak-aged sample was higher than the over-aged sample. The specific wear rates of peak-aged samples were in the range of 0.20 × 10-4 to 0.89 × 10-4 mm3/(Nm) while the over-aged samples were in the range of 0.21 × 10-4 to 1.29 × 10-4 mm3/(Nm). Although both samples possessed moderate wear behaviours, the peak-aged samples had better wear resistance. Scanning Electron Microscopy observation found that most wear mechanism were due to plastic ploughing phenomenon. Transferred materials from the counterface tool was also proven by Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy test. However, the roughness test showed that the peak-aged sample surface was finer than the over-aged sample surface. Average roughness of peak-aged samples were in the range of 0.49 to 1.79 μm while the over-aged samples were in the range of 3.28 to 4.02 μm. Hence, it can be concluded that the peak-aged Cu particles can improve the wear resistance of steel.