DEVELOPMENT OF DUAL CONDITION PIN-ON-DISC WEAR TESTING MACHINE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Determination of surface wear of engineering materials was carried out using Pin-on disc wear testing machine. Wear is a dynamic and complex process which involves not only surface and material properties but operating conditions as well. The wearing of surfaces may lead to extra cost of maintenance or manufacturing process. The present study developed dual condition Pin-on-disc wear testing machine with which both dry and lubricated surface contact of engineering material can be determined. The surface wear of Aluminium 6061, Bronze and Brass pins were investigated. The performance test was carried out based on varying loads, timeand speeds. The study determined pin wear rate, wear resistance and specific wear rate of the pins. The various pins were subjected to different performance test at constant sliding speed of 0.158m/s and 0.1975 m/s and at forces of 5N, 8N and 10N respectively. During experimental testing the pins were removed after 300 seconds and the final volume of each pin determined.The study indicated that Aluminium 6061 pin of 4mm diameter under dry surfaces at speed of 0.158m/s and applied force of 8N had highest wearing rate of 0.2129 mm3 /m as compared to 6mm diameter pin used. The wear test for Bronze pin at constant speedof 0.158m/shad the lowest wearing rate of 0.0394mm3 /m with a pin diameter of 6mm under applied force of 5N. The wearing rate per second under applied force of 5N and at sliding speed of 0.158m/s of 6mm diameter pin during lubricated condition include 20.5𝜇𝑚𝑚3 /𝑚𝑠, 8.2 𝜇𝑚𝑚3 /𝑚𝑠 and 11 𝜇𝑚𝑚3 /𝑚𝑠 for Aluminium 6061, Bronze and Brass respectively. The lubricated surface reduces wear to 54%. Bronze has 59.32 % lower wear rate per second in compare to Aluminium 6061 and Brass using the pin-on disc developed by this study. This indicated that wear resistance increases in the order of Bronze, Brass and least occurred in Aluminium 6061 pin. The specific wear rate of 6mm diameter pin with lubricated surface has least wearing rate at sliding speed of 0.158m/s and sliding distance of 568.8m. The results ofspecific wear rate for Brass pin, Aluminium 6061 pin and Bronze pin were0.3172 × 10−3mm3 /Nm, 0.5901 × 10−3mm3 /Nm and0.2428 × 10−3mm3 /Nm. In conclusion, engineering surface with good lubricating surface and higher surface area in contact have reduce wear rate. The study contributes to indigenous technology development in both Machine Design and Tribology.