The studies on the tribological performance, characterization and mechanical properties of W-2Ni-1Fe (wt%) alloy

Friction, wear and mechanical properties of the liquid phase sintered W-2Ni-1Fe (wt%) alloy were investigated. Tribological tests were carried out at different loads, frequencies and sliding distances under reciprocative sliding condition, against tungsten carbide (WC-Co) counter body. Co-efficient of friction (COF), wear volume and specific wear rate were determined. The dominant operative wear mechanisms were identified in different testing conditions. Abrasive wear and tribo-chemical wear mechanisms were found to be the dominant wear mechanisms. Room temperature strain rate sensitivity was determined by conducting jump test in tensile mode. The alloy showed low strain rate sensitivity with significant strain hardening. High resolution nanoindention mapping was carried out to establish structure property correlations at the micro-meter length scale. The hardness and elastic modulus maps were generated to determine the hardness and elastic modulus of the constituent phases of W and of gamma-Ni matrix. The maps were found to correlate well with the actual microstructure obtained from opticaland electron microscopy.