In situ observation of the magnetic domain in the process of ferroalloy friction

An in situ observation system was developed to monitor the magnetic domain structure in the process of rubbing. By means of this system, the magnetic domain motion beneath the sliding area was observed while a carbon steel 1045/316 L stainless steel pin specimen rubbed on a pure iron block specimen under certain loads. Experiments showed that plastic deformation stimulated changes in magnetic domain beneath the rubbing surface as a result of sliding friction, which means plastic deformation was a crucial activation factor for tribo-magnetization. Then the variations of the magnetic domain structure beneath the rubbing surface with the increasing of rubbing cycles were characterized. From experimental results the relation between plastic deformation in tribological process and the original process in mechanism of the tribo-magnetization phenomenon was discussed.