The preparation of surface layer of non-alloyed steel to cooperation with lubricating medium

This paper discusses the influence of cold working to energy conditions of the surface layer of steel 15; it is evaluated with the use of free surface energy calculated (with polar-dispersive method) on the basis of wetting angle measurements. The samples subjected to such working method were also subjected to scuffing resistance tests performed on the pair of counter-samples made of steel 45. In the paper procedure of scuffing was described. Moreover, the methods of results evaluation were put. The tests were carried out in lubricating conditions of different mechanisms of interaction with the lubricated surface. They found out that the free surface energy increase influenced the scuffing resistance decrease for the pairs lubricated with surface non-active substances. However, the resistance increased for the pair lubricated with substances reacting chemically with the surface. In the paper example of test results, average valves of free surface energy were presented. The obtained tests results were verified by the comparison with the results of the experiment where the surface layer energy conditions were evaluated with the use of Auger electron spectroscopy. Changes with coldplastic work to the surface layer can prepare it to co-operation with active lubricants and thus increase its adhesive scuffing resistance.