The Role of Transfer Layer on the Sliding Wear Behavior of a Cu-15Ni-8Sn Alloy Under Different Loads
Abstract We studied the microstructure of the transfer layer and its effect on the wear mechanism and wear property of an aged Cu-15Ni-8Sn alloy against GCr15 bearing steel during dry sliding by changing the applied load. The results indicate that the aged Cu-15Ni-8Sn alloy shows different wear behavior and wear properties when the applied load changed, where the average friction coefficient and specific wear rate decrease quickly with increasing applied load in steady wear condition. The sample tested under relatively high applied load shows the best wear performance owing the thickest oxide layer exists in the transfer layer. The main wear mechanisms were found changing with varied applied. The metallic nanocrystalline particles and the relative ductile copper oxides promotes the formation of a thick and densified oxide layer. The change of the thickness and morphology of the oxide layer under different load can significantly affect the wear mechanisms.