Complex microtopography analysis in sliding friction of steel-ferodo material pair

The tribological behaviour-friction, wear and lubrication-of machine elements highly depends on the operating state and also on the original topography of the working pair. Wear tests and 3D surface roughness measurements were carried out to analyse the effect of surface topography in friction and wear between ground steel specimens of various machining directions and different surface quality levels and a ferodo sliding pair. Three different techniques were used for surface topography evaluation: a parameter-based technique, a slicing method, and power spectral density analysis. Several parameters were found to be sensitive to surface wear phenomena; their changes indicate, among other things, surface platoing or the appearance of dominant scratches. The peak angle and height of asperities convey important information on numerous tribological changes. Power spectral density (PSD) analysis shows that the result of changes in the topography is an 'equilibrium' surface.