The mechanism of transfer film formation on metal surface

During dry friction of plastic against metal there occurs transfer from plastic onto metal. This phenomenon was investigated many times, nevertheless its mechanism remained unclear. The aim of this paper is to present a model of material transfer in metal-polymer (or carbon material) journal bearing. The results of the microscopic studies of material transfer in journal bearing by dry friction are presented. The bearing bushes were manufactured of: polyamid 6, polyoxymethylene, polyethylene and carbon material. The journal was manufactured of steel 45. The tests were carried out during running-in and steady state rubbing, under different roughness of the journal surface. The results lead to the elaboration of a material transfer model and the mechanism of the transfer film formation.