X-ray Diffraction Analysis on Seizure Characteristics of Carbon Steels at Low Temperature in a Vacuum

A fundamental study on the seizure mechanism, during sliding friction, of carbon steels was carried out at sample temperature from 300 K to 20 K in a vacuum. The influence of experimental conditions, such as contacting load and sample temperature, on the seizure was examined by measuring the delay time of seizure and mean frictional force. From these results, it was found that the delay time of seizure increased and the mean frictional force on seizure decreased, as the sample temperature decreased. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis in a wear area, compressive residual stress at 150 K or less was larger than those at higher temperature. It was also found that the seizure occurrence region exists in sample temperature versus contacting load. And a fundamental mechanism on the seizure of carbon steels at low temperature in a vacuum was discussed from the viewpoints of the flash temperature and the cooling rate.