Comparative study on aromatic thermosetting co-polyester (ATSP) coating and nickel-aluminum bronze on under torsional fretting wear.

In current work, the wear resistance of CuNiAl was improved by the application of an aromatic thermosetting co-polyester (ATSP)-based coating on its surface. Tribological behaviors of the ATSP coating at stresses of 1.52, 3.04 and 3.75 MPa under different lubrication conditions (dry friction and oil) were studied by the fretting wear test. The morphology and chemical composition of the coating were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and three-dimensional (3D) optical microscope. Results showed that at the same conditions, the friction torque of the ATSP coating was lower than that of CuNiAl. Significantly, wear was reduced by more than 90% after the application of the ATSP coating. The wear mechanism of the ATSP coating was slight deformation with pits induced by plastic deformation and fatigue crack propagation. The ATSP coating underwent molecular chain breakage during wear and chemical reaction with the friction pair to form a transfer film which played an important role in the reduction of wear. • The friction and wear properties of ATSP coating under fretting wear were investigated. • ATSP coating can significantly improve the wear resistance of CuNiAl. • ATSP coatings undergo complex chemical changes during wear。. • Transfer film is an important factor in reducing ATSP friction and wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]