Wear and friction behavior of alloyed gray cast iron with solid lubricants under boundary lubrication

Friction and wear behavior of MoS2, boric acid, graphite and TiO2 has been compared under extreme boundary lubrication condition. Boundary lubrication was simulated for the study. Results show that MoS2 and graphite were 30–50% more effective than other two lubricants. Friction coefficient shows a decreasing trend with increase in sliding speed due to increasing temperature and higher shear force. High friction coefficient values were recorded for all the lubricants (0.2–0.5). This is due to predominating solid interactions during boundary lubrication condition. Boric acid and TiO2 were not much effective in lubrication.

► Tribological performance of alloyed cast irons is compared with solid lubricants.
► Pearlitic alloy was transformed to ausferritic microstructure directly on solidification.
► Boundary lubrication was deliberately simulated by maintaining a thin lubricating film.
► Friction coefficient, normal load and sliding speed have been correlated and explained.