Sliding wear and fatigue cracking damage mechanisms in reciprocal and unidirectional sliding of high-strength steels in dry contact

Abstract

Rock drill components operate under tough contact conditions during rock drilling. Reciprocal and unidirectional motion under high contact stresses are the common contact conditions between interconnected components. It will result in component damage and often the observed surface damage of rock drill tools is due to wear and fatigue cracks. Nevertheless, the effects of the properties and structure of the mating materials on tribological performance, is not fully understood. The present study is dedicated to simulation and investigation of the wear mechanisms observed in reciprocal and unidirectional sliding of high strength steels for rock drill components. A high strength martensitic steel, 22NiCrMo12–F, commonly used in rock drills was tested in self-mating contact. Wear mechanisms were investigated by means of electron microscopy and wear damage was quantified by a 3D optical interferometer. Total damage, as a result of adhesive wear, severe plastic deformation and nucleation and propagation of fatigue cracks, was discussed in relation to test conditions and material properties. It was observed that the coefficient of friction decreased with increasing normal load. Moreover, the results showed that the type of motion had a significant influence on the worn volume and crack nucleation of the specimens in sliding contact. In addition, the reciprocal motion resulted in higher wear than unidirectional motion under the same test conditions.