Tribological Behaviors of an Ultrahigh Strength Cu-15Ni-8Sn-0.2Y Alloy Sliding Against TC6 Titanium Alloy in Deionized Water and Seawater

Tribological behaviors of an ultrahigh strength Cu-15Ni-8Sn-0.2Y alloy sliding against TC6 titanium alloy in deionized water and seawater under various normal loads and sliding speeds were evaluated. The friction coefficient and wear rate of the studied alloy in deionized water were higher than those in seawater. Seawater played cooling, lubricating, and corrosive roles during the friction process. A friction model for calculating ploughing component was established, which could explain the influence mechanism of the normal load on the friction coefficient and wear rate. Chloride ions easily penetrated the passive film and damaged it due to the wear, causing increased corrosion and corrosive products. The corrosive products such as Mg(OH)(2) and CaCO3 played important roles in reducing friction and wear. [GRAPHICS] .