Sliding Layer Formation during Tribological Contact between Expanded Graphite and Stainless Steel—A Pilot Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. The Formation of a Sliding Layer on Steel under Dry Friction Conditions
3.2. The Formation of a Sliding Layer on Steel under the Conditions of Interaction with Moist Expanded Graphite
3.3. The Comparative Analysis of Dry and Moist Friction on the Sliding Layer Formation
4. Conclusions
- The presence of moisture in the stainless steel-expanded graphite friction node affects the formation of a sliding layer. The resulting layer reduces the surface roughness of the cooperating materials and prevents their accelerated wear. A reduction of the Ra surface roughness parameter of the stainless steel sample was observed for approx. 80% of cases when working with a graphite counter-sample soaked in water, and for approx. 35% of cases when dry working.
- The transfer of graphite material to the surface of the stainless steel sample was observed during static contact of these materials. However, no significant reduction of the Ra surface roughness parameter of the stainless steel sample was observed.
- After 5 min of work with the water-soaked graphite counter-sample, depending on the friction conditions, a reduction of the Ra surface roughness parameter of the stainless steel sample was achieved in the range of 11–18% compared to the initial value. In turn, for dry worked samples, the Ra parameter decreased slightly—by approximately 4%.
- After 30 min of operation, stainless steel samples working with wet expanded graphite were characterized only by a reduction of the Ra surface roughness parameter in the range of 3–25% compared to the initial value. However, the Ra parameter decreased in the range of 5–13% in the case of dry worked samples.
- Pilot studies have shown that operating conditions, i.e., time, load, speed, and humidity, influence the formation of a sliding layer in the tribological contact between stainless steel and expanded graphite. This confirms the validity of conducting further research in this area.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Counter-Sample | Sample | |
---|---|---|
Material (chemical composition) | expanded graphite (C-98.9%) | stainless steel (AISI 304—C-0.08, Cr-18.2, Ni-10.5, Fe-65.91, Mn-1.2, P-0.04, Si-0.48) |
Shape | ring | tapered head rivet |
Dimensions [mm] | ϕ60 × 40 × 10 | ϕ10 × 30 |
Density [g/cm3] | 1.6 | 7.8 |
Roughness Ra [μm] | - | 3.21–3.64 |
Hardness [HRC] | - | 29–30 |
Expansion [mL/h] | 200 ÷ 300 | - |
Tensile strength [MPa] | - | Rm = 520 |
Yield strength [MPa] | Rp = 210 |
Operating Conditions | Test Duration | ||
---|---|---|---|
Rest [s] | Movement [min] | ||
Dry counter-sample | 30 | 5 | 30 |
Moist counter-sample |
Operating Conditions of the Friction Node | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speed [mm/s] | |||||
25 | 50 | ||||
Load [N] | |||||
10 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 20 | 30 |
The Steel Samples Working with Dry Graphite Counter-Samples | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Speed [mm/s] | 25 | 50 | ||||||||||
Load [N] | 10 | 20 | 30 | 10 | 20 | 30 | ||||||
Roughness parameters Ra [μm] | ||||||||||||
b * | a ** | b | a | b | a | b | a | b | a | b | a | |
Rest (30 s) | 3.33 | 3.31 | 3.31 | 3.32 | 3.23 | 3.36 | 3.22 | 3.31 | 3.36 | 3.42 | 3.23 | 3.36 |
Movement (5 min) | 3.57 | 3.99 | 3.47 | 3.91 | 3.49 | 3.61 | 3.45 | 3.56 | 3.41 | 3.61 | 3.33 | 3.20 |
Movement (30 min) | 3.42 | 3.52 | 3.52 | 2.92 | 3.32 | 3.01 | 3.42 | 3.32 | 3.49 | 2.72 | 3.45 | 2.81 |
The steel samples working with moist graphite counter-samples | ||||||||||||
Rest (30 s) | 3.25 | 3.42 | 3.20 | 3.31 | 3.43 | 3.21 | 3.21 | 3.32 | 3.21 | 3.40 | 3.44 | 3.31 |
Movement (5 min) | 3.35 | 3.43 | 3.34 | 3.23 | 3.34 | 3.23 | 3.30 | 3.23 | 3.35 | 3.23 | 3.41 | 2.95 |
Movement (30 min) | 3.25 | 2.99 | 3.45 | 2.72 | 3.55 | 2.65 | 3.20 | 2.49 | 3.55 | 3.25 | 3.52 | 3.42 |
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Rewolińska, A.; Leksycki, K.; Perz, K.; Kinal, G. Sliding Layer Formation during Tribological Contact between Expanded Graphite and Stainless Steel—A Pilot Study. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 4497. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114497
Rewolińska A, Leksycki K, Perz K, Kinal G. Sliding Layer Formation during Tribological Contact between Expanded Graphite and Stainless Steel—A Pilot Study. Applied Sciences. 2024; 14(11):4497. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114497
Chicago/Turabian StyleRewolińska, Aleksandra, Kamil Leksycki, Karolina Perz, and Grzegorz Kinal. 2024. "Sliding Layer Formation during Tribological Contact between Expanded Graphite and Stainless Steel—A Pilot Study" Applied Sciences 14, no. 11: 4497. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114497
APA StyleRewolińska, A., Leksycki, K., Perz, K., & Kinal, G. (2024). Sliding Layer Formation during Tribological Contact between Expanded Graphite and Stainless Steel—A Pilot Study. Applied Sciences, 14(11), 4497. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14114497