Effect of Processing Parameters on the Wear Behaviour of Sintered Iron and Steam Oxidized Sintered Iron in Reciprocating Sliding Wear Tests

In spite of the extensive use of sintered iron-based components in sliding situations, there are very few studies about their wear behaviour. In this paper, the effect of processing parameters on the wear behaviour of sintered iron and steam oxidized sintered iron were analyzed. Three levels of density were used, ranging from 7.10 to 6.55 g/cm³. In addition, two different steam oxidation processes were used with the objective of obtaining different types of surface oxides. Reciprocating sliding wear tests in a ball on flat geometry were performed under a constant stroke and frequency. Three levels of normal load were used. Wear was evaluated in terms of the volume loss by using data of surface topography provided by a 3D laser interferometer. The wear mechanisms were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The wear behaviour of the specimens was compared and analyzed in terms of the wear volume and wear mechanisms. The results show that wear behaviour is influenced mainly by the load level and steam oxidation. Steam oxidation greatly decreased the wear volume of these materials under low and medium loads.