Characterization of the steels AISI 4140 and AISI H13 surfaces after the lubricated sliding wear

• Grant number: 12/12987-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 01, 2012
• End date: September 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Amilton Sinatora
• Grantee: Ane Cheila Rovani
• Supervisor: Michel Mermoux
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Université de Grenoble, France
• Associated to the scholarship: 10/10623-7 - Study of the regime transition from mild to severe wear without lubrication and in boundary lubrication regime, BP.DR

Abstract

The friction and wear mechanisms that occur during sliding wear as well as the load at which the mild-to-severe wear transition occurs are influenced by variables such as applied load, roughness, temperature and humidity, which are the most commonly studied ones. However, the evaluation of wear debris removal from the sliding surface and the influence of oil with lubricant additive (e.g. Stearic Acid C18H32O2) are not yet to be studied in order to understand the mechanisms and the load at which the mild-to-severe wear transition occurs in sliding wear. The project intends to evaluate and characterize the surface of the materials in contact without the presence of debris and under boundary lubrication after sliding wear tests. AISI 4140 - 435 HV30 steel pin and AISI H13 - 435 and 530 HV30 steel disc will be the materials employed in this study. After the tests the materials will be evaluated through the interfaces characterization employing Raman Spectroscopy, 3D optical profilometry and MEV-FEG/EDS techniques, aiming to improve understanding of the phenomena that occur during sliding wear in mild wear regimes, transient regime and severe wear regimes, with wear debris morphological evaluation, to verifying the formation of an oxide tribo-film, wear surface adhesion and plastic deformation. These analysis and characterizations shall provide information on the roughness and 3D surface profile, highlighting the importance of wear track cleaning and of the lubricant additive on sliding wear. (AU)