Effect of temperature and sliding velocity on TiN coating wear

Dry sliding wear experiments at specific temperatures ranging between 25 and 500 degrees C were conducted on a PVD (reactive ion plated) TiN coating deposited onto an austenitic stainless steel substrate. The coating was worn against high-speed steel pins using a pin-on-disc sliding configuration at a low contact load (10 N) and various sliding speeds. Three wear regimes were identified: (1) at low temperatures and sliding speeds up to similar to 1.0 m s(-1), there was minimal damage to the ion-plated TiN and the formation of a protective iron oxide transfer layer on the TIN surface; (2) at temperatures in the similar to 200-450 degrees C range: polishing of the TiN occurred, accompanied by increased wear rates as speed was increased; (3) above similar to 450 degrees C ductile deformation and failure of the coating occurred. Steel pin wear rates dropped significantly and the wear track was coated with a titanium/iron oxide transfer layer. The wear rate data are summarised in map form on temperature vs. sliding speed axes and discussed together with corresponding SEM, EDS and optical metallographic evidence. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.