Multi-pass micro-scratching and tribological behaviors of an austenitic steel in media

Micro-scratching and tribological behaviors of an austenitic steel in media including a nano-caria slurry, a carrier liquid and air are researched thoroughly, with the purpose to provide a technical method for simulation of microscopic mechanisms in polishing. It is found that penetration depth increment and remnant depth increment are highest in the first pass and they decrease markedly in later passes, while coefficient of friction decreases with pass. Both penetration depth increment and coefficient of friction are maximal in the nano-ceria slurry. Based on the Hertzian theory, it can be deduced that multi-pass scratch transforms interaction form between indenter and surface, while the particles are embedded into the softer surface under higher load, both of which influence latter scratch.