The wear coefficient is a physical coefficient used to measure, characterize and correlate the wear of materials.
Traditionally, the wear of materials has been characterized by weight loss and wear rate.
However, studies have found that wear coefficient is more suitable.
The reason being that it takes the wear rate, the applied load, and the hardness of the wear pin into account.
Although, measurement variations by an order of 10-1 have been observed, the variations can be minimized if suitable precautions are taken.
[1][2] A wear volume versus distance curve can be divided into at least two regimes, the transient wear regime and the steady-state wear regime.
The volume or weight loss is initially curvilinear.
The wear rate per unit sliding distance in the transient wear regime decreases until it has reached a constant value in the steady-state wear regime.
Hence the standard wear coefficient value obtained from a volume loss versus distance curve is a function of the sliding distance.
[3] The steady-state wear equation was proposed as:[2]
is the Brinell hardness expressed as Pascals,
is the dimensionless standard wear coefficient.
in the abrasive model is defined as:[2]
can be estimated from weight loss
, the wear coefficient can also be expressed as:[2]
As the standard method uses the total volume loss and the total sliding distance, there is a need to define the net steady-state wear coefficient:
is the steady-state sliding distance, and
is the steady-state wear volume.
With regard to the sliding wear model K can be expressed as:[4]
is the plastically deformed zone.
If the coefficient of friction is defined as:[4]
Then K can be defined for abrasive wear as work done to create abrasive wear particles by cutting
{\displaystyle K={\frac {3\mu HV}{\mu PL}}=3\mu {\frac {Vu}{FL}}\approx {\frac {Vu}{FL}}}
In an experimental situation the hardness of the uppermost layer of material in the contact may not be known with any certainty, consequently, the ratio
[5] As metal matrix composite (MMC) materials have become to be used more often due to their better physical, mechanical and tribological properties compared to matrix materials it is necessary to adjust the equation.
is a function of the average particle diameter
is the volume fraction of particles.
is a function of the applied load
Therefore, the effects of load and pin hardness can be shown:[2]
As wear testing is a time-consuming process, it was shown to be possible to save time by using a predictable method.