Threshold galling load and frictional behavior of stainless steel couples in line contact

Tests were performed in this study to determine the threshold galling load of various stainless steel material couples using a multi-cycle line contact testing procedure. Line contact was achieved by loading the end of a stationary button against the length of a rotating cylinder. Tests were performed on various grades of stainless steel in both self-mated and dissimilar-mated pairs. The presence of galling was determined by unassisted visual inspection of the contact surfaces. The frictional behavior of the mated components was monitored during the testing procedure. The dynamic coefficient of friction was found to sharply increase upon the onset of galling.