The Role of Surface Topography and Normal Load in the Initiation of Ratchetting-Peak Friction, Seizure, Scuffing, and Elastic Shakedown

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Surface topography is a critical parameter that can influence friction and wear in engineering applications. In this study, the influence of surface topography directionality on seizure and scuffing initiation during tribological interactions is explored. Hence, unidirectional sliding wear experiments were carried out in immersed lubrication conditions for various normal loads. The tribological interactions were studied using EN31-60 HRC flats and SAE52100-60 HRC pins in a sphere on flat configuration. The results show that, in some cases, the sliding interactions in the initial cycles lead to a high friction coefficient of up to ∼0.68 in lubricated conditions, which was termed as “peak friction”, and this was accompanied by scuffing. The existence of peak friction was found to be dependent on surface topography directionality, especially when the directionality in topography was parallel to the sliding direction. Continuous ratchetting was found to be the cause of peak friction, which was accompanied by seizure and scuffing. When the topography directionality was perpendicular or independent of the sliding direction, elastic shakedown occurred at earlier cycles and prevented peak friction initiation and scuffing and also facilitated for higher steady-state friction values.</jats:p>