TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF STEAM TREATED FERROUS PARTS

The tribological behaviour of steam treated iron base sintered alloys has been studied. The damage process responsible for wear under varyin g tribological conditions is analysed in order to identify the effect of base material composition. The concept of surface durability is def ined and related to the wear resistance of the oxide layer on the exte rnal surface; this is the main factor influencing tribological behavio ur. If the layer remains undamaged on the surface, wear resistance is high and greater than that provided by conventional heat treatment or case hardening. Durability is affected by the chemical composition of the treated material and, in particular, is reduced by copper.