Tribological Characteristics and Formation of Subsurface Structures of Cast FE-CR-C Alloys with Different Content of Copper, under Sliding Friction

Abstract

Effect of copper contents (0%, 0.4%, and 14%) and modes of heat treatment on initial structure of Fe-Cr-C alloys (C~1.2%, Cr = 17…19%) and subsurface structure of friction layers and tribological characteristics of these alloys under dry and boundary friction are investigated. The structure of the alloys with 0% and 0.4% of copper consists of a matrix capable to α ↔ γ transformation + eutectic carbides (hard phase). The soft precipitations of copper containing ε -phase (solid lubricant) appear additionally in structure of an alloy with 14% copper. The least wear rate is observed for an alloy with 14% copper, the wear rate of this alloy (after quenching and after quenching and tempering) decreases 35…60 times under dry friction and 2…8 times under boundary friction as compared to other alloys.