FRETTING WEAR OF A HIGH-STRENGTH HEAVILY WORK-HARDENED EUTECTOID STEEL

This is the second paper in an informal series of three on the fretting behaviour of a heavily work-hardened eutectoid steel wire, used in the construction of locked coil steel ropes. The fretting behaviour of the wire, both in the service surface condition and after mechanical abrasion, is examined. Residual solid die lubricant, from the wire drawing manufacturing process, present both on the surface of the wire and as a reservoir in the drawing marks is determined to play an important role in the fretting behaviour. In particular, it is capable of maintaining the coefficient of friction at a low value, at least during the early stages of fretting.