Effect of electrization and small direct currents on the wear of metals in sliding friction

It was shown that the magnitude and direction of thermally induced electric currents depend on both the friction conditions (loads, sliding speeds) and the friction pair material, and that the character of the influence of electrization on wear is complex. It was established that currents of the order of 10−6–10−4 A may have a noticeable effect on wear of metals which is probably due to electro-transfer phenomena taking place in the metal surface layers during friction.