Friction and Wear Behavior of 30CrMnSiA Steel at Elevated Temperatures

The friction and wear properties of 30CrMnSiA steel were investigated at elevated temperature from 100 to 600 °C. Thereafter, the wear debris and worn surfaces were examined to understand the wear mechanisms. The remained debris with relatively high hardness created three-body abrasion at lower temperatures (100-300 °C). Abrasive wear prevailed at the conditions with high friction coefficients and wear rates. A significant change in friction and wear behavior occurred at 400 °C. At the temperature of 400 °C, oxidation induced mild wear was found because of the formation of load-bearing oxide film. Both the friction coefficients and wear rates of the steel were lowest at 400 °C. At the temperatures of 500-600 °C, a mild-to-severe wear transition occurred which resulted in an increase in the friction coefficients and wear rates of the steel. This is related to the decrease in the strength of matrix and hardness of worn surfaces and subsurfaces. The predominant wear mechanism is considered to be severe abrasive, adhesive wear and a fatigue delamination of the oxide film.