Paper 20: Measurement of Sliding Friction and Wear in High-Temperature High-Pressure Water Environments

Abstract

A new apparatus is described which enables continuous measurement to be made of the friction coefficient between surfaces sliding under boundary lubrication conditions in high-pressure (2700 lb/in 2 ), high-temperature (up to 350°C) water environments. One specimen is held stationary under load against a moving specimen which may be either continuously rotated or reciprocated, linear rubbing speeds being low (of the order of a few centimetres per second). The design of the test section is such that any one of three geometrical configurations of specimen can be selected: piston-cylinder, journal-sleeve, or crossed-cylinders. The friction force transducers which have been developed for this work are described. Friction and wear results are presented for stainless steel (En 58E) sliding against itself, Inconel X, Nimonic 80A, chromium-plate and Deloro SF40, in the temperature range 20°-325°C.