INFLUENCE OF A MAGNETIC-FIELD ON THE WEAR AND FRICTION BEHAVIOR OF A NICKEL XC-48 STEEL

The friction and wear behaviour of a nickel/XC 48 steel couple was studied and analysed in the presence and absence of a d.c. magnetic field on a pin-on-disc tribometer. A magnetic field was applied to the nickel pin and remained constant during each test. Experiments were conducted in ambient atmosphere at different applied normal loads, sliding velocities and magnetic field intensities. The experimental results showed that, at ambient temperature, the application of a magnetic field increased the friction coefficient and microhardness of the sliding surface and decreased the wear rate. The results were interpreted by observation and analysis of the surface and wear particles. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that, when a magnetic field was applied, the sliding surface was filled with thin, black particles. The sliding contact wear mechanism was evaluated.