The complex express evaluation of tribotechnical properties of antifriction aluminum alloys by sclerometric tests

Abstract

The results of an investigation of experimental aluminum alloys proposed for replacing the highcost bronzes in friction units have been presented. The alloys were preliminarily selected using sclerometric tests based on the criterion of relative shear strength τ/σ_mc as being more informative compared with contact microcutting stress smc. Tribotechnical tests of selected alloys have been performed according to the three pins-on-disc scheme, which imitates the operation of the plane journal bearing. The results of tests confirmed the possibility of using these alloys as bronze substitutes. The structure and chemical composition of the surface of both initial samples and tested samples have been investigated. The influence of the chemical composition of the alloy on the tribotechnical properties of alloys under study has been shown.