Friction measurement on Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystalline and B2-type materials

This work studies the dry friction properties of sintered Al62.5Cu25Fe12.5 samples with quasicrystalline as well as the B2 (CsCl) type structures. Fri ction experiments were carried out on a pin-on-disc-type tribometer. The st ructure of the specimens was measured by means of X-ray diffraction. Chemic al compositions were obtained by means of electron probe microanalysis. The dominant friction mechanisms were identified by analyzing the worn surface morphologies using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated tha t the sintered B2 materials possess low friction coefficients that are clos e to that of the annealed quasicrystalline sample, and about one third that of low carbon steels under the same experimental conditions. (C) 1999 Publ ished by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.