Time-dependent wear behavior of alloy 690 tubes fretted against 405 stainless steel in high-temperature argon and water

Fretting wear caused by flow-induced structural vibrations is a concern in the nuclear industry. The wear behavior of alloy 690 steam generator (SG) tube fretting against AISI 405 stainless steel, and exposed to 285 °C water and argon, was investigated using a fabricated apparatus. Compared with argon, high temperature water contributes to the removal of wear particles and the formation of oxide scale on the wear scar. Fretting promotes tribo-corrosion of alloy 690 in high temperature water and that results in the formation of a stable oxide scale. That oxide scale on the wear scar reduces the wear coefficient of the material and progressively changes the wear mode from one of delamination to one dominated by abrasion.