CHARACTERIZATION OF WEAR MECHANISMS IN SINTERED Fe-1.5 Wt % Cu ALLOYS

In this research, increasing amount of ultimate tensile strength and hardness in sintered Fe-1.5 Wt % Cu alloys is observed with increasing the density. The influence of different applied pressure of 300, 450, 600 and 750 MPa on porosity and wear behavior has been also studied. Cross-section micrographs of worn surfaces show that the pores are closed by plastic deformation or oxides and metallic particles after the wear test. According to the wear test results, specimens with 14 vol. % porosity are more wear resistant than the specimens with low porosity values of 11 vol. %. Thus, oxidation wear and surface plastic deformation are the main wear mechanisms identified in this investigation. Abrasion wear was also characterized as the result of abrasive debris agglomeration and the asperities of the pins.