A study on wear rates of 100Cr6 steel running against sintered steel surfaces under dry and starved lubrication

This paper investigates the tribological behavior of 100Cr6 steel pin running against sintered steel bearing material used in hermetic compressors. Tests were conducted under dry and starved lubrication sliding conditions in air at room temperature. Although porous structure acts as crack initiation sites thus limiting the wear resistance of sintered iron in dry sliding conditions under high contact stresses, it is believed to be beneficial in lubricated sliding conditions as it absorbs a large amount of lubricant. Wear tests without lubrication show that these pores are completely filled by abrasive particles in the initial stages of the test and no longer maintain their oil absorption capability. Initial results show that oxidation of frictional surfaces by flash temperature in dry conditions reduces weight loss volume by decreasing the coefficient of friction.