The effects of the main components of seawater on the tribological properties of Cu-9Al-5Ni-4Fe-Mn alloy sliding against AISI 52100 steel

• Published in: RSC advances 2016-01, Vol.6 (8), p.6384-6394
• Main Authors: Jin, Kongjie, Qiao, Zhuhui, Wang, Shuai, Zhu, Shengyu, Cheng, Jun, Yang, Jun, Liu, Weimin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alloy steels; Bearing steels; Bronzes; Calcium carbonate; Chromium steels; Friction; Salt solutions; Sea water; Tribology; Wear rate
• ISSN: 2046-2069; 2046-2069
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra19719h

A high strength and wear-resistance nickel-aluminum bronze alloy was successfully prepared by hot-pressing sintering. The tribological performances of it sliding against AISI 52100 steel were studied in distilled water, seawater, divalent salt solutions and monovalent salt solutions. The effects of the main components of seawater on the tribological properties were first investigated. The results show that Cu-9Al-5Ni-4Fe-Mn alloy has a lower friction coefficient and wear rate in seawater and divalent salt solutions. The Cl − and SO 4 2− adsorbed by the surface can accelerate corrosion and promote the formation of Cu 2 O, Al 2 O 3 , FeOOH and Fe 2 O 3 , which has an influence on the tribological performances. The distribution of CaCO 3 and Mg(OH) 2 on the surface also plays an important role in the reduction of the friction coefficient and wear rate. In addition, many substances transfer from the alloy to the steel surface and form a transfer layer during the friction process. The nickel-aluminum bronze alloy exhibits different friction coefficients under different environments: seawater ﹤ divalent salts solution ﹤ monovalent salts solution ﹤ distilled water.