Friction and wear behavior of Cu–Cr–Zr alloy lubricated with acid rain

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological properties of a Cu–Cr–Zr alloy lubricated with acid rain.

Design/methodology/approach

The Cu 2.5 weight per cent–Cr-0.08 weight per cent–Zr alloy was produced in a vacuum induction furnace. The H₂SO₄ + H₂O, HNO₃ + H₂O and H₂SO₄ + HNO₃ + H₂O mixtures with pH of 5 were used as acid rain. Pure water was used as rain. The friction and wear properties of Cu–Cr–Zr alloy/American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 52100 steel couples lubricated with acid rain were investigated using a reciprocating ball-on-disc friction and wear tester (Optimol SRV, Germany). For investigating the properties of the alloy and wear scars, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrum, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope were used.

Findings

The wear rate of the Cu–Cr–Zr alloy lubricated with H₂O containing HNO₃ (pH = 5) was larger than pure water under the same conditions. The tribofilms containing Cu, Cr, Zr, S and N formed during sliding with acid rain, but corrosion also took place at that time.

Originality/value

The wear rate of the Cu–Cr–Zr alloy lubricated with H₂O containing HNO₃ (pH = 5) was larger than pure water, the wear and corrosion took place during sliding. As the trolley wires, the life of the Cu–Cr–Zr alloy was influenced by the environment.

Citation

Jia, Z., Su, Y., Xia, Y., Shao, X., Song, Y. and Ni, J. (2014), "Friction and wear behavior of Cu–Cr–Zr alloy lubricated with acid rain", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 66 No. 3, pp. 473-480. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt-02-2012-0015