EFFECT OF SLIP AMPLITUDE ON THE FRETTING WEAR OF SILICON-NITRIDE AGAINST SILICON-NITRIDE

The fretting wear behaviour of silicon nitride against silicon nitride was investigated under lubricated conditions as a function of frettin g amplitude and duration. Amplitudes in the intermediate 5-50 mu m ran ge and test durations from 10 to 360 min were studied, using the comme rcial lubricant ISO VG 220. Light microscopy, scanning electron micros copy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spe ctroscopy were employed to determine the detailed nature of the fricti on and wear processes. Different wear mechanisms were observed, depend ing on time and amplitude.