Room temperature tribological properties of molybdenum-titanium-zirconium (TZM) in metal forming processes

This study investigate the effects of temperature on the tribological properties of Titanium-zirconium-molybdenum (TZM). TZM alloy was subjected to sliding contact against AISI 430 steel counterparts at varying temperatures. The results shows, the coefficients of friction (COF) at interface were 0.77, 0.75, 0.71, and 0.69, in the case of 25 ◦C, 300 ◦C, 600 ◦C, and 900 ◦C test temperatures. The presence of MoO3 and Mo9O26 phases suggested the wear resistance and decreasing COF at high temperature. Temperature is a critical factor influencing material transfer between TZM and AISI 430 steel. The primary TZM wear mechanism at 25 ◦C involved scratching, surface deformation, and local cracks, while elevated temperatures near 900 ◦C intensified material adhesion phenomena with a surface shearing effect on the TZM surface after the trotest.