Cyclic loading effect on tribological tests during intermetallic contacts of long chained hydrocarbons

Abstract

High value of coefficient of friction was obtained for dry friction between AISI 304 stainless steel specimen and counter body made from 100Cr6 steel. Aliphatic hydrocarbon liquid films of dodecane (C₁₂ H₂₆ ) and monounsaturated oleic acid (C₁₈ H₃₄ O₂ ) were used as lubricating layers between the above two contacting pairs. This was carried out to evaluate the effect of alkane and alkene liquid lubricants on the evolution of coefficient of friction. Furthermore, the cyclic loading effect of progressive and regressive loading on coefficient of friction was also evaluated. Sliding speed of the contacting bodies also varied. The loading and sliding effects resulted in interruption of hydrodynamic lubrication, which caused breaks in the superlubricity of these hydrocarbons. Such circumstances led to manifestation of higher coefficient of friction. Frictional behaviour of these contacting bodies during cyclic loading procedure has been correlated with deformation induced morphologies of wear tracks.