| A thorough evalution of the low-stress, three-body abrasive wear resistance of AISI 4340 Steel, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE), and hard chromium plating is presented. The dry sand/rubber wheel abrasion test has been employed to assess the abrasive wear behavior associated with these materials and to characterize the effects of certain key variables on their wear resistance. Factorial designs are used to provide a systematic experimental strategy. This approach provides the capability to determine the statistical significance of independent variables in a multivariable system, as well as identify interaction effects which occur between variables.; The test parameters of primary interest include abrasive shape, abrasive hardness, normal load, and certain material properties. The effects of these system conditions on volume loss of material, temperature increase, and friction force are determined through the use of full 2{dollar}sp3{dollar} and 2{dollar}sp2{dollar} factorial designs.; Scanning electron microscopy is employed to inspect the worn surfaces, and, in the case of the 4340 steel, the wear debris particles. An attempt is made to elucidate the abrasive wear mechanisms associated with each of the three materials.; The results of this study demonstrate that the abrasive wear of 4340 steel, UHMW-PE, and hard chromium plating is a very complex process which is highly dependent on the system conditions under which they are abraded. The ranking of the wear resistance of these materials is most affected by abrasive particle shape and hardness (in the 250-400 {dollar}mu{dollar}m size range).; The potential and utility of the factorial design strategy applied to the analysis, interpretation, and communication of abrasive wear phenomena is clearly evident. The fact that wear resistance is not an inherent property of materials necessitates an experimental strategy which accounts for a range of the key variables affecting the wear rate. This is an important criterion if indeed a definitive assessment is imperative. |
