Tribological characteristics of corrugated nano-scale dimpled and nanostructured surfaces

The effects of ultrasonic nanocrystalline surface modification (UNSM) on the tribological characteristics of two different Cu-based alloys sintered on low carbon steel were investigated using a ball-on-disk reciprocating tribometer with a hardened bearing steel ball under oil-lubricated conditions. Experimental results showed that both the UNSM-treated Cu-based alloy specimens reduced the friction coefficient and enhanced the wear resistance compared to those of the polished specimens. Improvements in tribological characteristics of the UNSM-treated specimens may be attributed to the corrugated nano-scale dimpled and nanostructured surfaces and increased hardness. Addition of the 0.52% ferrum to Cu-based alloy is found to be beneficial in improving the tribological characteristics and in reducing the grain size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to analyze the worn surfaces and characterize the wear mechanisms of the polished and UNSM-treated specimens. SEM analyses showed that the UNSM could reduce the abrasive wear which was the dominant wear mechanism of both Cu-based alloys specimens. In addition, the density and porosity measurement of both sintered Cu-based alloys revealed that the density increased and the porosity decreased after UNSM.