Effect of temperature on fretting wear behavior and mechanism of alloy 690 in water

Abstract The tangential fretting wear of alloy 690 tube mated with 405 stainless steel (SS) plate exposed to different temperature water was investigated. The worn surfaces were examined with optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and 3D microscopy. The cross-section of wear scar was examined with transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicate that temperature has a significant effect on fretting wear of alloy 690 in water. The principle wear mechanism is delamination and abrasive wear at room temperature and 90 °C, however, the principle wear mechanism changes to be abrasive wear at 285 °C and 350 °C. The wear depth of alloy 690 tube tested in 90 °C water is the highest among all the tests. Wear affected zone (WAZ) is defined on the surface of alloy 690 tube tested in high temperature water, and there is protective oxide glaze layer formed on specimen exposed in 285 °C and 350 °C water. WAZ and oxide glaze layer formed in high temperature water can enhance wear resistance.