Wear behaviour in the presence of magnetic fields for pin-on-disc repeated dry wear tests

Abstract

Wear behaviour in a magnetic field is discussed for pin-on-disc repeated dry wear tests. The results showed that the sliding distance corresponding to a severe-mild wear transition decreased with increasing magnetic flux density. Consequently, the degree of wear also decreased in the presence of a magnetic field. These phenomena were observed, remarkably, for the case using a carbon steel pin, which is a material that easily oxidizes. To discuss the above phenomena, the oxidation of steel filings in a magnetic field was investigated at high temperature. As a result, it was certain that the activation energy for oxidation decreased both in ac and dc magnetic fields. EPMA observations also proved that the magnetic field promoted oxidation. It was concluded that the degree of wear decrease was caused by magnetic-field-promoted oxidation of wear particles and these oxidized fine wear particles existed and attached to the wear surface owing to the magnetic forces present. © 1992.