abstract
- © 2021 Elsevier LtdTribological maps on powder-pack borided and non-borided AISI 316L steel under a Hank's solution medium, during linear reciprocating sliding wear tests with a ball-on-flat configuration, are presented with the aim of elucidating the role of the operating environment on wear mechanisms and tribological performance. 2D maps obtained by Response Surface Methodology showed the coefficient of friction, wear volume and specific wear rate as a function of load and sliding speed. Findings showed k for the non-borided AISI 316L steel was between 5.40 and 34.90 ×10¿6 mm3/Nm, while it was between 2.37 and 4.91 ×10¿6 mm3/Nm for the borided AISI 316L steel. Grooving, smearing, plastic deformation and the formation of a passive film were the identified wear mechanisms on the wear tracks using Scanning Electron Microscopy.