Characterization of wear and friction between X160CrMoV12 tool steel and carbon steel sheet during reciprocating sliding tests

Abstract Hinges manufacturing in the industry is realized in five operations by a progressive die. These steps are crushing, cutting, bending, cold plastic rolling (CPR), and finally calibration. Specific wear of the die was revealed in the CPR process. This experimental work deals with the investigation of the tribological behaviour of tool - workpiece material pairs: a cold work tool material (X160CrMoV12) sliding against carbon steel sheet (S235JR) used in the CPR operation. Special tribological test was developed using a reciprocating sliding tribometer to simulate the contact between the die and the steel sheet. It emerges as an open friction track that reproduces the industrial production conditions. The investigation of tool sliding direction effect versus rolling direction of the sheet was carried out. Furthermore, the effect of Ni-B 25mL/L TiO2 sol composite coating deposited on the X160CrMoV12 steel was studied under the considered tribological configuration. The observations and analyses of the pin surface as well as the friction track of the sheet were conducted by scanning electron microscopy, optical microscope and 3D profilometer. It was found that a significant damage was observed on the X160CrMoV12 pin surface when it slides perpendicular to the rolling direction of the S235JR plate. The Ni-B 25mL/LTiO2 sol composite coating applied on the pin surface showed a reduction of wear on the pin and on the plate. Hence, the friction decreased, and the lifetime of the contact increased, which can be a good alternative for industrial applications.