Tribological Behaviour of Grey Cast Iron–EN31 Steel Contact Under Sliding Conditions

Abstract

This paper investigates the tribological behaviour of grey cast iron (GCI) and its counter face material (EN31 steel) under various environmental conditions. In many applications, GCI is subjected to different metal-to-metal contact under dry, lubricated and high temperature conditions. The main phenomenon in metal-to-metal sliding is wear; it may occur on either surface or any one of the surfaces due to the property of material or nature of contact or the sliding parameter of the test. Adhesive wear can occur on the surface due to the presence of localized bonding or oxide formation. As a result of this metal-to-metal contact, localized bonding may occur, leading to material transfer from GCI to EN31 steel or vice versa. This situation brings up the new era of positive or negative wear, at various environmental conditions in practical applications. If the material transfer is observed, then the surface could be subjected to adhesive wear. If oxidation takes place, then the material is subjected to rolling wear. Sometimes both surfaces may be subjected to material transfer due to severe sliding action. This work aims to determine the states of wear and sliding parameters under which slight and severe wear occurs. The states of wear include dry, lubricated and heated conditions. The sliding parameters are applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance. The combinations of sliding parameters were selected based on the principle of full factorial method, and L₂₇ orthogonal array was employed.