Effect of load on the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 super duplex stainless steel in air and sea water

Purpose This paper aims to study the influence of load and environment medium on the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the effect of load on the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS in air and sea water were studied. The fretting wear tests under different loads were conducted with a ball-on-flat contact configuration. The friction coefficient, wear volume, surface morphology and oxidation component were determined. Findings With the increase of applied load, the friction coefficient decreases both in air and sea water. The fretting mechanism is gradually transformed from partial slip regime to slip regime in air while the fretting counterparts are all in the state of gross slip in sea water. In sea water, the friction coefficient is lower while the wear loss is higher compared with that in air. Research limitations/implications This research suggests that the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS is related to load and environment medium. Practical implications The results may help us to choose the appropriate load under different environments. Originality/value The main originality of the research is to reveal the fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS under different loads in air and sea water, which would help us to realize fretting behavior of SAF 2507 SDSS is controlled by the combination of applied load and lubricating environment. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ILT-08-2019-0335 .