Tribological properties of powder metallurgical tool steels used in powder compaction pressing dies

Journal article, 2011

The tribological properties of two powder metallurgical (PM) tool steels, high and low nitrogen containing, are investigated by means of three different wear tests: ball-on-disc, rubber wheel and scratch test. The ball-on-disc tests showed two distinct friction curves corresponding to each material. In order to simulate the tribosystem existing in metal powder compaction dies, the rubber wheel and the scratch test were modified. The rubber wheel test was performed using ferrous powder instead of sand, and scratch testing was carried out by sliding a powder compact over the tool steels. The scratch tests indicated a higher steady-state coefficient of friction for the low nitrogen containing PM steel as compared with the high nitrogen containing alloy. Additionally, the results from the rubber wheel tests were in agreement with industrial experiences, showing the low nitrogen containing tool steel to suffer from severe galling. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.