Specific features of the wear of zirconium in gaseous atmospheres at different temperatures

• Published in: Materials science (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 2013-05, Vol.48 (6), p.747-751
• Main Authors: Arendar, L. А., Vasyliv, Kh. B., Vinar, V. А., Rud’kovs’kyi, E. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Friction; Hydrogen; Hydrogen embrittlement; Hydrogen storage; Materials Science; Microcracks; Plasticity; Seizing; Solid Mechanics; Structural Materials; Tribology; Wear; Zirconium
• ISSN: 1068-820X; 1573-885X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11003-013-9564-8

We study the tribological behavior of zirconium in air, hydrogen, and vacuum at temperatures of 20 and 100°C. In case of friction in air, the plastic deformation of microasperities on the surface is discovered. As temperature becomes higher, the degree of wear of the metal increases by 10–15%. In hydrogen, the plasticity of the metal decreases and microcracks are formed on the friction surface. The number of these microcracks noticeably increases at a temperature of 100°C. Finely divided wear products are also formed on the friction surface, probably as a result of the formation and brittle fracture of zirconium hydrides. The character of wear of zirconium in a vacuum reveals the presence of seizure of the contacting surfaces and repeated crushing of the formed bulges on the friction surfaces. At a temperature of 100°C, the degree of wear of the metal decrease due to the increase in its plasticity.