Development of a new cryogenic tribotester and its application to the study of cryogenic wear of AISI 316 stainless steel

A pin-on-disk tribotester has been designed and constructed that enables cryogenic friction wear testing to be conducted either in liquid nitrogen (wet tests) or dry sliding conditions. The tester does not require a sealed, cooled cryostat for the tests. For wet tests, both pin disk specimens are immersed (LN 2 ), whereas specimen is only partially submerged LN while remains gaseous nitrogen. To prove capabilities of tribotester, tests were run using AISI 316 stainless steel pins contact with disks made yttria-stabilized zirconia. Friction under three conditions: room temperature air, which bulk temperatures remained less than 115 K, at 77 K. All two different speeds, 0.1 1.0 m/s, distance 1 km. It was found rates material slightly lower temperature, being greater low speed high all test coefficients generally those temperature. X-ray diffraction analysis worn surfaces showed phase transformation from austenite martensite had occurred during whether sliding, as well air More produced dry, when higher, speeds. photoelectron spectroscopy determine role oxides process temperatures. • built friction/wear testing. Tribotests SS zirconia disks. Wear Phase change