Emission of airborne wear particles from an intermetal Fe₃Al and stellite 6 sliding on steel

The generation of airborne particles in the friction nodes is an important aspect of modern tribological research. The paper presents the results of experimental studies on the intensity of airborne particles precipitation during friction of dry stellite 6 and $\boldsymbol{\text{Fe}-{3}\mathrm{A}1}$ intermetal after 1.0037 (S235JR) steel. These materials are used on valve seats of internal combustion engines. Abrasion tests were performed on a T-11 pin-on-disc tester. The test conditions were similar to those prevailing during the operation of the valves in the head of the internal combustion engine, disregarding the influence of temperature. The TSI OPS 3330 optical spectrometer was used to measure the intensity of generation of wear particles, which enables the measurement of particles in the range from 0.3 to 10 $\boldsymbol{\mu \mathrm{m}.}$ The obtained results indicate that the $\boldsymbol{\text{Fe}-{3}\text{A1}}$ intermetal in contact with the 1.0037 S235JR steel generates 15% less airborne wear particles in the tested range.