Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols.

201-202 (2012) pp 73-77 Online: 2012-10-26

© (2012) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland
doi:10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.201-202.73

Tribological characteristics of nickel-aluminium bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4

against 30CrMnSiA steel after the prior corrosion treatment

Zhihai Tan1, a, Qiang Guo1, b, Wenkai Zhai1, c and Zhengping Zhao1, d

1
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 201800, P.R. China
a b c d
tanzhihai@shu.edu.cn, guoq@shu.edu.cn, wkz@shu.edu.cn, sjzhaolei@163.com

Keywords: Nickel-aluminium bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4; Friction, Wear; Prior corrosion; Bearing

Abstract. The tribological characteristics of nickel-aluminium bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4 against

30CrMnSiA steel after the prior corrosion treatment was studied at the M2000A model wear tester.
The wear rate of corroded specimen was less than uncorroded specimen at the early stage of prior
corrosion treatment, while the wear resistances deteriorated and the average friction coefficient
slightly declined with the extension of prior corrosion period. The tests of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 sliding
bearing at PLS-100 swing tribometer were used to validate the results. The wear resistances of
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 sliding bearing increased slightly after a short period of prior corrosion, and the
average friction coefficient decreased slightly after a long term of prior corrosion. A suitable period of
prior corrosion treatment can enhance the wear resistance performance of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearing.
The tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 sliding bearing tested by PLS-100 rack swing
tribometer are consistent with the conclusions of the tests at M2000A model wear tester.

Introduction
Nickel-aluminium bronze was developed in the early 20th century and has been widely used in the
industry for its excellent mechanical properties and high corrosion resistance [1]. The content of
aluminium in aluminium bronze used for industrial products was generally 7%-8% (wt.%). In order to
improve the relevant performance, a certain amount of manganese, iron, nickel, zinc, tin and other
elements were added to form multiple aluminium bronze. During the application in the ship
propellers, pumps, valves and underwater fasteners, nickel-aluminium bronze always showed the
outstanding resistance to seawater corrosion and marine bio-fouling, and was favoured by the navy
and widely used in the ships and submarines [2,3]. Nickel-aluminium bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4 was
developed on the basis of aluminium bronze [4] and showed higher strength, wear resistance and
excellent anti-friction properties. However, there are few reports on the tribological properties of
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 so far, so it has great significance to study its tribological properties, wear resistant
mechanism and the influencing factors. In this study, the prior corrosion condition was conducted.
Meanwhile the expected application of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 was on the bearings that were tested by a rack
swing tribometer to simulate the real work.

Experimental
The chemical compositions of nickel-aluminium bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4 specimen are shown in Table
1. The M2000A wear tester was used to investigate the tribological properties of CuAl10Ni5Fe4
cubical specimens under the sliding condition. The illustration of frictional couple is shown in Fig. 1.
The ambient temperature was 20±2℃ and the relative humidity was 50±10%. The revolving speed of
tester was 200r/min. The testing time was 180min under the grease lubricated friction. The width of
worn traces was determined in situ by a 15J model microscope every 30min. The prior corrosion
treatment was a process in which CuAl10Ni5Fe4 cubical specimens or bearings were immersed into
the acidic solution of pH 3.0 for a set time. The tribological behaviors of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearings
against 30CrMnSiA steel shaft were investigated by a PLS-100 rack swing tribometer under the
maximum load of 100kN and the torque of 200N•m. The swing range was ±25° and the swing

All rights reserved. No part of contents of this paper may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of Trans
Tech Publications, www.ttp.net. (ID: 130.237.29.138, Kungliga Tekniska Hogskolan, Stockholm, Sweden-12/07/15,10:28:40)
74 Advances in Engineering Design and Optimization III

frequency was 12 cycles per minute. Total 10k reciprocating cycles were taken in a test period. The
linearity wear loss could be obtained from the tribometer to analyze the wear rules of bearing and
shaft, and the friction coefficient could be calculated from the torque.
Table 1 The chemical compositions of nickel-aluminium bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (%)
Al Fe Mn Ni Impurity Cu
9.5-11 3.3-5.5 1.0-2.0 3.3-5.5 ≤0.8 75-85

Fig. 1 The contact schematic diagram for the frictional couple

The wear loss and wear rate could be calculated from the width of wear traces [5]. The volume
wear, Vs, was calculated by Eq.1
 πR 2 B B 4R 2 − B 2 
Vs = 10 ⋅  arcsin − 
 180 2 R 4  (1)
where B represents the width of wear trace in millimeters and R is the 20mm radius of the steel ring
and “10” is the width of the specimen in millimeters. The wear rate, WR, was calculated by Eq.2
Vs
WR =
X ⋅L (2)
where X represents the sliding distance in meters and L is the applied vertical load in newtons. The
friction coefficient, µ, was calculated by Eq.3
M
µ =
R ⋅L (3)
where M represents the friction moment in Nms, R is the 0.02m radius of the steel ring and L is the
vertical load applied on the specimens.
The testing conditions of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 cubical specimens and bearings are listed in Table 2.
“KK-C0-2”, “KB-C72-540” and so on represent the specimen codes; ‘KK’ means the cubical
specimen against 30CrMnSiA steel couple ring; ‘KB’ means CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearing against
30CrMnSiA steel shaft; ‘C0’, ‘C24’, ‘C48’, ‘C72’, ‘C96’, ‘C144’ and ‘C216’ mean that the prior
corrosion treatment periods are 0hr, 24hr, 48hr, 72hr, 96hr, 144hr and 216hr; ‘2’ and ‘540’ indicate
that the testing loads are 200N and 54000N. The hardness of tested CuAl10Ni5Fe4 was 36HRC and
the surface roughness (Ra) was 0.8µm. The specimens were coated 7031A lubricating grease before
tests. The worn morphologies of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 specimens were observed by SU1510 scanning
electron microscope (SEM), and the elements in the specimen surface and contents thereof were
determined by INCA EDS [6].
Table 2 The specimens under the different experimental conditions
Specimen code Prior corrosion period [hr] Load [N]
KK-C0-2 0
KK-C24-2 24
200
KK-C48-2 48
KK-C96-2 96
KB-C0-540 0
KB-C72-540 72
54000
KB-C144-540 144
KB-C216-540 216
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 201-202 75

Results and discussion

The influence of prior corrosion on the tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4.
The CuAl10Ni5Fe4 cubical specimens were immersed into acidic solution at pH 3.0 to realize the
prior corrosion treatment. The immersing times were 24hr, 48hr and 96hr respectively. The
tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 by M2000A model wear tester under the different prior
corrosion periods are shown in Table 3. The prior corrosion weight loss increases with the extension
of prior corrosion, while the prior corrosion rate declines. During the early corrosion stage of 24hr, the
wear rate is less than that of the uncorroded specimen, meanwhile the wear resistance properties
decline with the extension of prior corrosion treatment. Compared to the uncorroded specimen, the
prior corroded specimens give the higher average friction coefficients, which increase from 0.035 to
0.105. But the average friction coefficient slightly declines to 0.086 at the later corrosion stage.
Table 3 The tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 under the different prior corrosion periods
Prior corrosion Prior corrosion Wear rate Average friction
Specimen Code
weight loss [g] rate [g/m2·hr] [×10-6mm3/N·m] coefficient [µ]
KK-C0-2 0 0 2.14 0.035
KK-C24-2 0.071 4.923 1.92 0.092
KK-C48-2 0.104 3.603 3.02 0.105
KK-C96-2 0.173 3.005 3.05 0.086
The surface topographies of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 after the different periods of prior corrosion treatment
are showed in Fig. 2. Some furrows and pores can be observed obviously on the worn surfaces in Fig.
2(b) compared with Fig. 2(a). But it indicates that the worn surface is still even and smooth after a
short period of prior corrosion treatment. The proper period of prior corrosion treatment will not
affect the tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4. It shows in Fig. 2(c) that CuAl10Ni5Fe4 after
prior corrosion treatment of 48hrs presents the denser worn cavities than that of in Fig. 2(b). The prior
corrosion is serious and lots of holes appear on the worn surface in Fig. 2(d) and its wear resistance
properties reduce after the long term of prior corrosion treatment.
(a) (b)

Sliding direction 20µm ┅ Sliding direction 20µm ┅

(c) (d)

Sliding direction 20µm ┅ Sliding direction 20µm ┅

Fig. 2 SEM micrographs of worn scar on the specimen surfaces (a) Specimen KK-C0-2, (b)
Specimen KK-C24-2, (c) Specimen KK-C48-2, (d) Specimen KK-C96-2
76 Advances in Engineering Design and Optimization III

The main elements on CuAl10Ni5Fe4 worn surfaces and their distribution are showed in Fig. 3.
Compared with the chemical compositions of this bronze in Table 1, Fig. 3(a) and its attached list
indicate that C and O elements are detected on the worn surface, which leads to a little oxidation wear.
The content of Ni element does not change. The high content of Al on the worn surface indicates the
gathering of Al element to the surface. The main elements and their distributions on CuAl10Ni5Fe4
worn surface under prior corrosion period of 96hr are shown in Fig. 3(b) and its attached list. There
are also C and O on the worn surface and their contents are larger than that of uncorroded situation.
The lubrication deteriorates as the adsorption capacity of this bronze surface on grease decreases after
long term of prior corrosion. As Al and Fe are the important elements for refining alloy microstructure
and enhancing its hardness and wear resistance, the decrease of Al and Fe elements on the worn
surface will decrease the tribological characteristics of this bronze [7]. The content of Ni also
decreases. The content of Cu is low on the worn surface after prior corrosion that maybe one of the
factors to reduce the wear resistances. Other elements cannot be detected as their contents are low.

Uncorroded specimen
Element Weight [%] Atom [%]
C 3.54 13.73
O 2.62 7.63
Al 11.20 15.88
Fe 4.42 3.69
Ni 5.23 3.15
Cu 72.99 54.92

Prior corrosion period of 96hr

Element Weight [%] Atom [%]
C 8.62 27.78
O 5.97 14.46
Al 6.33 9.08
Fe 3.26 2.26
Ni 3.88 2.56
Cu 71.94 43.86
Fig. 3 EDS spectra of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 worn surface (a) Specimen KK-C0-2, (b) Specimen KK-C96-2

The tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 sliding bearing simulation of rack swing.

The linearity wear losses and average friction coefficients of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearings by PLS-100
rack swing tribometer under the different prior corrosion periods are shown in Fig. 4. It shows in Fig.
4(a) that the linearity wear losses reduce slightly and the values are between 0.07 and 0.08 when the
prior corrosion periods increase from 0hr to 144hr. An Al/Cu composite oxide film with good
corrosion resistance and high compactness has formed on the surface of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearing at the
beginning of the prior corrosion. The composite oxide film is believed to have a certain strength and
plasticity which can enhance the embedded ability and wearable performance. The results show that
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearing has excellent corrosion resistance. Furthermore, a suitable period of prior
corrosion treatment can also enhance its wearable performance. The linearity wear loss increases
rapidly as the prior corrosion period extended from 144hr to 216hr, which the value increases from
0.08 to 0.17. Generally, the longer the prior corrosion period, the thicker the prior corrosion layer on
the surface will be. However, the serious corrosion will lead to the damage of the organization
structures in the prior corrosion layer of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearings.
 Applied Mechanics and Materials Vols. 201-202 77

0.20 0.40
Specimen KB-C0-540 (a) (b)

Average friction coefficient (µ)

Specimen KB-C72-540 0.35
Specimen KB-C144-540
0.15 Specimen KB-C216-540 0.30

Specimen KB-C216-540
Specimen KB-C144-540
0.25

Specimen KB-C72-540
Specimen KB-C0-540
Wearl (mm)

0.10 0.20

0.15

0.05 0.10

0.05

0.00 0.00
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 0 72 144 216
Reciprocating cycle (N) Prior corrosion period (hr)
Fig. 4 The tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearings under the different prior corrosion
periods (a) Linearity wear losses, (b) Average friction coefficients
Fig. 4(b) shows that the average friction coefficients of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearings increase from
0.29 to 0.34 when the prior corrosion periods increase from 0hr to 144hr. The decrease of absorption
of prior corrosion layer on grease will lead to the decline of the effects of lubricating grease and the
increase of friction coefficient. The average friction coefficient of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 bearing decreases
slightly when the prior corrosion period increases to 216hr. The thickness of the prior corrosion layer
on the worn surface increases with the extension of the prior corrosion treatment, which will decline
the mechanical strength and frictional damping of the prior corrosion layer. The conclusions are the
same as that from Table 3 in which tests are performed by M2000A model wear tester.

Conclusions
The wear rate of corroded specimen is less than that of uncorroded specimen at the early stage of prior
corrosion treatment. The wear resistance deteriorates and the average friction coefficient slightly
declines with the extension of prior corrosion period. The tribological properties of CuAl10Ni5Fe4
sliding bearing increase slightly after a short period of prior corrosion treatment, and the average
friction coefficient decreases slightly after a long term of prior corrosion treatment. A proper perod of
prior corrosion treatment can enhance the wear resistance performance of CuAl10Ni5Fe4. The
tribological characteristics of CuAl10Ni5Fe4 sliding bearing tested by PLS-100 rack swing
tribometer are consistent with the conclusions of the tests at M2000A model wear tester.

Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Fund No.
50975167) and Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (Grant No.
20113108110015).

References
[1] S.Y. Xu and Q.Y. Su: Material Engineering, Vol. 5 (1991), p. 8
[2] R.C. Barik and J.A. Wharton: Wear, Vol. 259 (2005), p. 230
[3] L. Wang, X.L. Xu and J.J. Xu: Thin Solid Films, Vol. 376 (2000), p. 159
[4] R.B. Wang: Nonferrous Metals Processing, Vol. 35 (2006), p. 17
[5] H.B. Qiao, Q. Guo, A.G. Tian and G.L. Pan: Tribology International, Vol. 40 (2007), p. 105
[6] Z.H. Tan, Q. Guo, Z.P. Zhao, H.B. Liu and L.X. Wang: Wear, Vol. 271 (2011), p. 2269
[7] Z.H. Tan, Q. Guo, X. Li and Z.P. Zhao: Advanced Materials Research, Vol. 401 (2012), p. 2181
Advances in Engineering Design and Optimization III
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.201-202

Tribological Characteristics of Nickel-Aluminium Bronze CuAl10Ni5Fe4 against 30CrMnSiA Steel

after the Prior Corrosion Treatment
10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.201-202.73

DOI References
[2] R.C. Barik and J.A. Wharton: Wear, Vol. 259 (2005), p.230.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2005.02.033
[3] L. Wang, X.L. Xu and J.J. Xu: Thin Solid Films, Vol. 376 (2000), p.159.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0040-6090(00)01213-X
[5] H.B. Qiao, Q. Guo, A.G. Tian and G.L. Pan: Tribology International, Vol. 40 (2007), p.105.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2006.02.069
[6] Z.H. Tan, Q. Guo, Z.P. Zhao, H.B. Liu and L.X. Wang: Wear, Vol. 271 (2011), p.2269.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2011.02.029