Tribocorrosion behaviors of Ti–6Al–4V and Monel K500 alloys sliding against 316 stainless steel in artificial seawater

The tribocorrosion behaviors of Ti–6Al–4V and Monel K500 alloys sliding against 316 stainless steel were investigated using a ring-on-block test rig in both artificial seawater and distilled water. It is found that friction coefficients are in general larger in distilled water compared with seawater. The wear losses of Ti–6Al–4V and Monel K500 alloys are larger in seawater compared with distilled water. The mechanical action can destroy the passive film and increase the corrosion rate. The synergism effect between corrosion and wear occurs. The synergism action between corrosion and wear is related to the corrosion rate and with the increase of corrosion rate, the synergism becomes more important. 316 stainless steel suffers severe wear sliding against Monel K500 alloy compared with sliding against Ti–6Al–4V alloy in both distilled water and seawater.