Effect of superconducting transition on tribological properties of materials

The results of the tribological study of metal superconductors (lead, niobium, vanadium, tantalum) and high-temperature superconducting ceramics YBa2Cu3O7−δ at temperatures lower and higher than the critical temperature of the superconducting transition are presented and discussed using background literature data. New information is given on the effect of the superconducting transition on the friction coefficient and the friction surface properties of lead and superconducting ceramics. Some general rules have been determined and the differences in friction behaviour of the materials studied have been observed for the superconducting and normal states. It was shown that it would be advantageous to carry out subsequent studies under similar conditions to reach superconducting and normal states in order to exclude the temperature and environmental effects on the friction behaviour of various superconducting materials.