Analysis of the abrasive wear mechanism by successive observations of wear processes in a scanning electron microscope

Single-point scratch tests, using a semispherical pin made of hardened steel, on the flat surfaces of brass (60Cu-40Zn) and S45C (0.45C steel) and SUS304 (18Cr-8Ni austenitic stainless steel) steels were carried out under dry and lubricated conditions in a scanning electron microscope. Successive observations in the scanning electron microscope show that the abrasive wear mechanism can be classified into the following four types: cutting, flaking, wedge formation and ploughing. The transitions between the different types of abrasive wear occurred at critical degrees of penetration which are strongly dependent on the conditions of lubrication. The ratio of the wear volume to the groove volume was highly dependent on the four types of wear.