LAUSR

Abstract In this paper, the matching properties of nickel aluminum-silver solid-lubricating alloy coupled with various tribo-pairs in seawater environment were investigated. The results revealed that the Ni3Al Ag alloy mating with Al2O3 is an appropriate tribo-pair compared with the SiC and 316L steel counterparts. The Ni3Al Ag alloy rubbing against Al2O3 exhibits the desirable lubricating properties because mild plowing effect contributes to slightly mechanical action and Ag distributed on the worn surface brings the surface shearing stress down. When the Ni3Al Ag alloy is coupled with SiC, the increasing plowing effect and slight material transfer deteriorate the friction behavior. As for the 316L steel counterface, the aggravation of plowing effect and the formation of ferric oxide play adverse roles in tribological behavior.