The influence of oxygen on the friction and wear behaviour of a copper-steel couple under electric current

The tribological behaviour of a copper-steel couple similar to those in electrified railways has been studied as a function of mechanical, electrical, and environmental parameters. The experimental results obtained in an oxygen atmosphere show that this factor has a major influence on the wear behaviour. While there was a reduction in the average coefficient of friction compared to in argon, under oxygen there was twice the wear found under air, and six times that found under argon. In the absence of an electric current, the nature of the wear was essentially mild adhesive. However, with an electric current at the interface, fluctuations, particularly at high intensities, were recorded in both the coefficient of friction and the electrical contact resistance, and there was severe wear. Discussion of the results is based on examination of the wear surfaces and analysis of the phenomena observed during sliding contact.