Tribological improvements through in-situ oxide layer formation in Fe-based nano-dual-phase glass-crystal alloys

Abstract

We report an excellent tribological property of the Fe-based nano-dual-phase glass-crystal alloy at room temperature and under dry sliding condition. It shows a substantially low friction coefficient (0.16) and wear rate ($1.16\times {10}^{-4}m{m}^3{N}^{-1}{m}^{-1}$) combination, compared with those properties of silicon steel. We have made transmission electron microscope investigation and energy dispersive spectroscopy, showing that an oxidic nanocomposite layer forms upon sliding and homogeneous plastic flow without shear band nucleation in the metallic glass phase. Both of these factors contribute to the enhanced wear resistance.