Determining coefficients of friction in steels consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering technique (SPS)

• Grant number: 15/20099-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2015
• End date: March 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Izabel Fernanda Machado
• Grantee: Guido Boidi
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study is focused on the sintering process by Pulsed Electric Current Sintering (SPS) of three kinds of steel powders mixtures. Friction and wear resistance is evaluated by dry and lubricated reciprocating tests. These materials have potential application for the manufacture of sintered gears. The main objective is to obtain a high surface hardness, excellent wear resistance and good ductility of the core, so the specimens after the sintering process, may be subjected to a thermochemical treatment of Carbonitriding. The material characterization is carried out by relative density (Archimedes method) and microstructural analysis (optical microscopy (MO), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), semi - quantitative chemical analysis (EDS-SEM)). The mechanical properties are evaluated by the hardness and micro-hardness tests. The SRV tribometer 4® (Optimol) is used to evaluate the tribological performance and friction coefficients. In order to determine coefficients of friction and wear resistance, materials tests are conducted for different temperatures and / or several load conditions; the antagonist material is the AISI 52100.