Wear by Friction in a Pair with Fixed Abrasive Composite Materials Based on Iron and Self-Fluxing Alloy

Background . Creation of theoretical and technological foundations of iron-based powder composite materials and self-fluxing alloys to work under the effect of abrasives is an urgent task that requires setting the dependence of the final product properties on the composition and the conditions of its obtaining. Objective . The aim of the paper is to study the influence of the composition of composite materials based on iron-doped self-fluxing alloy and method for producing products from them in their resistance under abrasive wear. Methods. The method of the study of frictional material wear process in contact with the fixed abrasive is developed. The investigation of density, structure and properties was carried out using modern methods and equipment for determining the mechanical characteristics, optical and electron microscopy and computer technologies. Results. The analysis of the published data is carried out in order to establish promising materials for the manufacture of powder materials of tribological purpose for work in the conditions of action of abrasives. It is shown that the material may be powder compositions of iron and self-fluxing alloy which abrasion resistance may be significantly larger than existing content by SFA composition which has a relatively high hardness and wear resistance. It is found that the abrasion resistance under the influence of fixed abrasive material depends on the composition, method and technological parameters of its compaction. The increase of self-fluxing alloy content in the composite material, its porosity reduction, the presence of interaction between phase components increases its resistance to abrasion wear. It is shown that formation of self-fluxing alloy solid carcass in the material structure and its layer thickness increase improve the durability. According to the study results, the highest wear resistance got materials containing iron-based SFA of more than 30 %, obtained by pressing the blanks, and subsequent sintering and vacuum impregnation. The results are explained with the use of modern ideas about the mechanisms of deterioration when exposed to fixed abrasives. Conclusions. The dependence of the resistance to abrasion when subjected fixed iron-based abrasive powder composite materials and self-fluxing alloys depending on their composition, the method and conditions of preparation, structure, and wear conditions was determined. It is shown that self-fluxing alloy content increase in the composite material, its porosity reduction, the presence of interaction between phase components increase its resistance to abrasion. It is shown that formation of self-fluxing alloy solid carcass in the material structure and its layer thickness increase improve the durability, in case if its content in the com-position is more than 20 %.