Abstract
Purpose - The objective of the present study is to assess the influence of the volume fraction solid lubricants like talc lead and graphite in oil separately as well as in combination towards controlling the sliding wear behavior of a grey cast iron and understand the factors controlling the response of the material in a given set of experimental conditions. Design/methodology/approach - The composition of the lubricating medium (oil) has been changed by dispersing 5% graphite, talc and lead particles separately as well in combination. Sliding wear tests were conducted on grey cast iron samples over a range of applied pressures. Parameters determined were wear rate and frictional heating. The wear behavior of the samples was further substantiated through the features of wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris particles. Material removal mechanisms and factors responsible for a specific response of the samples have also been analyzed.Findings - The wear rate increased with increasing applied pressure. Addition of graphite and lead to the oil separately or in combination brought about a reduction in the wear rate of the samples; talc and talc+lead produced a reverse trend. Temperature near the specimen surface increased with test duration and applied pressure. The test environment influenced the frictional heating in a manner similar to that of the wear rate. Adhesion and abrasion were observed to be the operating material removal mechanisms. Smearing of the solid lubricating phase and delamination resulting from cracking tendency also controlled the wear response. Research limitations/implications - Oil is a very popular lubricant used in engineering applications involving friction and wear. Solid lubricants are used along with the oil. The nature, characteristics and content of the solid lubricants very much control the performance. Limited information is available pertaining to assessing the influence of the type and fraction of solid lubricants in the oil towards controlling the wear behavior of cast irons (popularly known tribomaterials). The present study enables to understand the effectiveness of talc, lead and graphite in oil towards governing the wear characteristics of cast iron and analyze wear mechanisms and controlling parameters. Practical implications - Graphite and talc are available in nature in abundance. Graphite is a popularly known solid lubricant while talc is less explored. Lead is also well known as a solid lubricant but poses health hazard in practice due to its toxic nature. The present study explores the lubricating capability of talc when mixed with oil separately or in combination with lead and graphite towards controlling the wear response of a grey cast iron. It enables to understand the factors responsible for the specific response of talc.Originality/value - The present manuscript is an original piece of my research work.
Purpose - The objective of the present study is to assess the influence of the volume fraction solid lubricants like talc lead and graphite in oil separately as well as in combination towards controlling the sliding wear behavior of a grey cast iron and understand the factors controlling the response of the material in a given set of experimental conditions. Design/methodology/approach - The composition of the lubricating medium (oil) has been changed by dispersing 5% graphite, talc and lead particles separately as well in combination. Sliding wear tests were conducted on grey cast iron samples over a range of applied pressures. Parameters determined were wear rate and frictional heating. The wear behavior of the samples was further substantiated through the features of wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris particles. Material removal mechanisms and factors responsible for a specific response of the samples have also been analyzed.Findings - The wear rate increased with increasing applied pressure. Addition of graphite and lead to the oil separately or in combination brought about a reduction in the wear rate of the samples; talc and talc+lead produced a reverse trend. Temperature near the specimen surface increased with test duration and applied pressure. The test environment influenced the frictional heating in a manner similar to that of the wear rate. Adhesion and abrasion were observed to be the operating material removal mechanisms. Smearing of the solid lubricating phase and delamination resulting from cracking tendency also controlled the wear response. Research limitations/implications - Oil is a very popular lubricant used in engineering applications involving friction and wear. Solid lubricants are used along with the oil. The nature, characteristics and content of the solid lubricants very much control the performance. Limited information is available pertaining to assessing the influence of the type and fraction of solid lubricants in the oil towards controlling the wear behavior of cast irons (popularly known tribomaterials). The present study enables to understand the effectiveness of talc, lead and graphite in oil towards governing the wear characteristics of cast iron and analyze wear mechanisms and controlling parameters. Practical implications - Graphite and talc are available in nature in abundance. Graphite is a popularly known solid lubricant while talc is less explored. Lead is also well known as a solid lubricant but poses health hazard in practice due to its toxic nature. The present study explores the lubricating capability of talc when mixed with oil separately or in combination with lead and graphite towards controlling the wear response of a grey cast iron. It enables to understand the factors responsible for the specific response of talc.Originality/value - The present manuscript is an original piece of my research work.
