Effect of Corrosion Inhibitors in Compositions of Friction Composites on Corrosion Resistance of the Metal Counterbody and Noise Generation during Friction

In this paper, we study the effect of corrosion inhibitors in compositions of friction composites on corrosion processes and noise generation in friction units. Model composites containing complex corrosion inhibitors as target additives were prepared. Tribological tests of the friction composite were performed using the “plane-to-plane” scheme. Transfer films on the surface of a steel counterbody are shown to be formed predominantly by laminar wear particles of the composite with sizes up to 50 μm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data confirmed the presence in the transfer films of all elements related to the main components of the friction material, including corrosion inhibitors. Climatic tests were carried out. In a friction pair with a composite containing no corrosion inhibitor, continuous corrosion of the metal counterbody is shown to be predominant while pitting actively develops over time. The degree of corrosion damage to the surface reaches 90–95% of the nominal contact area. The introduction of a complex corrosion inhibitor into the composition of friction composites in an amount of 1.5–3.0 wt % was established to reduce the degree of corrosion damage to the nominal friction area of the metal counterbody by 20–35%. Outside the nominal friction area, the effect of reducing the degree of corrosion damage to the surface area of the metal counterbody by 50–60% was found. Triboacoustic tests were carried out on metal counterbodies subject to corrosion during climatic tests. Levels of sound pressure produced by the friction pair in the frequency range of 50 Hz–20 kHz are determined. The use of corrosion inhibitors was found to lead to a decrease in noise levels while the most significant decrease of 7–30 dB occurs in the high-frequency region of 6–20 kHz.