The influence of atmospheric humidity on the friction and wear of carbon steels

In Korea, the atmospheric air humidity varies between 30% and 90% with the seasons. Thus the study of the effect of humidity on the behavior of wear is important in predicting the seasonal wear for tools and dies. This paper presents the effect of atmospheric air humidity on the wear of carbon steels for un-lubricated pin-on-disc sliding contact under constant load and speed. In this study, it was found that at low humidity severe wear occurs and at a high humidity mild wear can be expected. In addition, the humidity effect on the transition from mild to severe wear and vice versa is related strongly to the carbon concentration of the steel. Experiments were carried out in a chamber where the humidity was maintained accurately by a humidifier. To investigate the relationship between the carbon concentration in a steel and the wear behavior, three different carbon steels, i.e. 1020 steel, 1031 steel and 1045 steel were used. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.