Wear model based on real-time surface roughness and its effect on lubrication regimes

In this study, the running-in tribological behaviors of brass sliding against 100Cr6 under lubricated conditions are investigated by an in-situ tribometer. The wear model based on the relationship between real-time wear rate and real-time surface roughness during the test is established. The evaluations of the wear model indicate that it can predict wear rate effectively under certain working conditions. It is found that the tribological behaviors strongly depend on the real-time roughness. On this basis, the lubrication number Z parameter of the Stribeck curve is modified by considering the impact of the real-time surface roughness. Furthermore, the running-in tribological behaviors and the wear mechanisms under different regimes are discussed through the obtained Stribeck curve.