Friction and wear behavior of TiN films against ceramic and steel balls

Tribological properties and wear mechanisms of TiN films deposited by arc ion plating (AIP) against Si3N4, Al2O3 and steel balls were comparatively investigated under different loads and speeds. The tribological properties of the TiN films were evidently influenced by load, speed and counterball. The different friction coefficients were related to the real contact state of the friction interface of the tribopair. The TiN films against the ceramic balls mainly were typical polishing wear, which resulted from the interaction between the preferential formation of the Ti oxide layer on the wear track surface and the small particles from ceramic balls. For steel ball, the platelets of Fe3O4 adhered to the wear track surface did not generate polishing effect.