AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANICS OF SLIDING METALLIC WEAR UNDER LUBRICATED CONDITIONS

Tests are described in which a hard wedge is loaded against the periph ery of a rotating disc of softer specimen material. The inward movemen t of the wedge, which occurs as the disc wears, is measured continuous ly during a test, as are the tangential (friction) and normal forces a cting on the wedge. Five liquid lubricants are used in the tests. The wear results are explained in terms of a low cycle fatigue type equati on. The results indicate that wear is occurring as a result of the com bined action of ratchetting and low cycle fatigue. (C) 1998 Elsevier S cience S.A.