Use Wear Type - Tribochemical

Tribochemical wear occurs when friction modifies the kinetics of chemical reactions between two sliding bodies, and with the atmospheric or liquid environment, allows chemical changes to take place on surfaces. Tribochemical wear manifests as the formation of organic films on the surface and can appear as a “sheen” or “polish that may be observable macroscopically. These are the result of the repolymerization of organics (solid, liquid or vapor) in the sliding contact due to a local increase in surface temperature in the regions of greatest contact. Once repolymerized, they adhere to one or both of the contact surfaces. The best examples of tribochemical wear found during this research are the resultant adhesives noted (see also Use-Wear – Adhesive Wear) – pigments, handwear and oils (Figures 1 and 2).