The Surface Layer States in Metallic Materials Subjected to Dry Sliding and Electric Current

• Published in: Russian physics journal 2017-09, Vol.60 (5), p.908-914
• Main Authors: Fadin, V. V., Aleutdinova, M. I., Potekaev, A. I., Kulikova, O. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amorphous materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Current density; Electric contacts; Face centered cubic lattice; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Iron constituents; Lasers; Mathematical and Computational Physics; Microstructure; Nuclear Physics; Optical Devices; Optics; Particulate composites; Phase transitions; Photonics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Plastic flow; Sliding friction; Stress relaxation; Structural stability; Surface layers; Theoretical
• ISSN: 1064-8887; 1573-9228
• DOI: 10.1007/s11182-017-1156-x

The structure and properties of surface layers of metallic materials undergoing structural-phase changes as a result of their contact interactions in the form of dry sliding friction on steel in combination with exposure to electric currents are investigated. This impact results in the formation of a composite surface layer whose structural constituents are the particles of FeO oxide, FCC- and BCC-iron, and quasi-amorphous initial material. Sliding of materials at the contact current density higher than 150 A/cm 2 gives rise to the formation of local, low-stability structures which, as a result of phase transformations, are observed as sectors of quasiliquid plastic flow on the sliding surface. It is shown that the average temperatures of the Cu – steel material contact do not exceed 300°С, i.e., none of the surface-layer constituents reaches its melting temperature. It is shown that quasi-liquid plastic flow favors stress relaxation and maintains the strength of the surface layer, which ensures its lower wear.