THE EFFECT OF HUMIDITY ON FRICTION AND WEAR OF AN ALUMINUM-SILICON EUTECTIC ALLOY

The sliding wear of an aluminium-silicon eutectic alloy against cast i ron counterface in 3-100% relative humidity range has been investigate d. The results show that the moisture content has a significant effect on the friction and wear of the Al-Si alloy. The wear rate decreases by two orders of magnitude as the relative humidity increases from 3% to 100%. At low humidity conditions adhesive wear is predominant, whil st at high humidity conditions a layer of compacted oxide-metal debris film is formed on the Al-Si slider surface, which reduces the direct metal-metal contact. The friction coefficient is maximum at 3% and 100 % relative humidity conditions.