Development of technique for evaluating the scoring resistance of aluminum alloys according to sclerometry results

Abstract

The research results of experimental aluminum alloys intended for the possible replacement of costly bronzes in the friction units of railway transport have been presented. The preliminary selection of alloys was carried out by the sclerometry technique on the criterion of relative shear strength as more informative compared with microcutting contact stress. The tribotechnical tests of selected alloys were performed by the three-finger scheme, which simulates the work of supporting the sliding bearing. In principle, the test results confirmed the possibility of using these alloys as substitutes for bronze. The structure and chemical composition of surface both the original samples and the samples after testing was studied. The influence of the alloy’s chemical composition on the tribological properties of investigated alloys has been revealed.