Volume 48, No 2, 2026, Pages 263-273
Download full text in PDFOn the Probability of Melting on Sliding Surface of AISI 1020 Steel in Dry Sliding Against Quenched AISI 1045 Steel Under Electric Current
Authors:
Marina Ivanovna Aleutdinova 
,
Viktor Veniaminovich Fadin ,
DOI: 10.24874/ti.2056.10.25.01
Received: 30 October 2025
Revised: 9 December 2025
Accepted: 27 January 2026
Published: 15 June 2026
Abstract:
The phase and elemental compositions of the contact layer of AISI 1020 steel (pin) were determined in dry sliding against AISI 1045 steel (disc) under mild (normal) and catastrophic wear conditions. Formation of a tribolayer on the sample contact surface was demonstrated. The layer was consisted of FeO, α-Fe, and γ-Fe phases. A study of the sample morphological features of the sliding surface revealed that this layer was deteriorated by an abrasive mechanism in one sector (sector 1) of the nominal contact area. The other sector (sector 2) was deteriorated with visual signs of melting and adhesive interaction. The main attention was paid to the oxygen concentration as an indicator of FeO formation. A high oxygen concentration (30–40 at%) was observed on the sliding surface in sector 2. Sliding surface area with melt signs was consisted of iron and oxygen. Melt signs were explained by supposition the appearance of strong pulses of electric induction vector in the contact layer (FeO-rich medium) which can transfer the FeO crystal lattice to melt state in thin contact layer during friction. The FeO-melt was not capable for strengthening the tribolayer. The oxygen concentration in the bulk of the tribolayer was less than 5 at%. This indicated weak strengthening of the contact layer due to the formation of crystalline FeO.
Keywords:
Wear, Sliding electric contact, Transfer layer structure, Viscous melt, Friction coefficient
