The objective of this investigation is to assess the influence of graphite reinforcement on tribological behavior of ZA-27 alloy. The composite with 2 wt% of graphite particles was produced by the compocasting procedure. Tribological properties of unreinforced alloy and composite were studied, using block-on-disk tribometer, under dry and lubricated sliding conditions at different specific loads and sliding speeds. The worn surfaces of the samples were examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results revealed that ZA-27/ graphite composite specimens exhibited significantly lower wear rate and coefficient of friction than the matrix alloy specimens in all the combinations of applied loads (F n ) and sliding speeds (v) in dry and lubricated tests. The positive tribological effects of graphite reinforcement of ZA-27 in dry sliding tests were provided by the tribo-induced graphite film on the contact surface of composite. In test conditions, characterized by the small graphite content and modest sliding speeds and applied loads, nonuniform triboinduced graphite films were formed leading to the increase of the friction coefficient and wear rate, with increase of the sliding speed and applied load. In conditions of lubricated sliding, the very fine graphite particles formed in the contact interface mix with the lubricating oil forming the emulsion with improved tribological characteristics. Smeared graphite decreased the negative influence of F n on tribological response of composites, what is manifested by the mild regime of the boundary lubrication, as well as by realization of the mixed lubrication at lower values of the v/F n ratio, with respect to the matrix alloy.

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to show which filler metal is the best for hard facing. Because the quality of the surface layer has a great influence on the working life of parts, the purpose was to extend the working life of parts exposed to intensive wear. The tested hard-faced models were made of low carbon steel to save the expensive base metal and to analyze the possibilities of extending the service life of existing structural parts. Design/methodology/approach Samples were prepared from plates hard faced with various filler metals. Samples were then subjected to experimental testing – testing of tribological properties and hardness and microstructure. Testing was done in conditions similar to real ones – with a sliding speed of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 m/s and with a load of 50, 75 and 100 N and in most rigorous dry conditions. Research was done by using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches. Findings The paper shows the results of the experimental testing of four different filler metals aimed for hard facing of parts exposed to highly intensive wear. Results shown that CrWC 600 alloy is the most favorable filler metal for hard facing of parts such as those of construction mechanization and those subjected to intensive abrasive wear at stone mines. Practical implications All obtained results are real and fully applicable, as there is a huge industrial need for these types of technologies. With the application of these technologies, beside money savings, the working life of parts can be significantly extended. Originality/value The research presented in this paper was conducted because of the lack of results from this area in Serbia and because of the necessity for application of obtained results in companies for road maintenance and stone excavation in the region of Šumadija, Serbia.

A tribological system is a complex non-linear system composed of the elements that are connected structurally and functionally. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of artificial neural networks, its development and applications of neural networks in the prediction of tribological properties of dental glass ceramic using a newly measured ball-on-plate nanotribometer. The possibility of artificial neural networks application to solve complex nonlinear problems and to identify tribological characteristics of dental glass ceramic in terms of wear rate and coefficient of friction are presented in this paper.

The structural, mechanical and tribological properties of ZA-27/SiC nanocomposites were investigated at micro/nanoscale. The nanocomposites with different volume fractions of nano-sized SiC particles were produced using the compocasting technique. The microstructure of nanocomposites was characterized with formation of SiC nano agglomerates, which were relatively uniformly distributed. The increase in SiC content contributed to the uniformity of their distribution. Also, the phenomenon of particle segregation in the form of particle-rich clusters, as well as particle-porosity clusters, was identified. The density level of composites decreased with the increase of the SiC content. The porosity followed a reverse trend. The tendency for formation of local particle-porosity clusters was the highest in ZA-27/1% SiC nanocomposite, causing the highest level of porosity. Increasing percentage of SiC content was followed by the increase in micro/nanohardness of the composites. The results of micro/nanoscale tribotests revealed that the reinforcing with SiC nanoparticles significantly improved wear and friction behavior of ZA-27 matrix alloy. The rate of improvement increased with the increase of SiC nanoparticle content, load, and sliding speed. The highest degree of changes corresponded to the change of the SiC nanoparticle content from 0 to 1 wt%. The further decrease of wear with SiC content (from 1 to 5 wt%) was almost linear. The different tribological behavior of tested ZA-27 matrix and ZA-27/SiC nanocomposites was influenced by differences of intensity of adhesion resulted in transferred layers of matrix material onto worn surfaces of Al2O3 ball counterpart. The intensity of adhesion significantly decreased with the increase of SiC nanoparticle content.