Use of synchrotron X-rays for direct observation of wear damage in optically-opaque contacts

The fretting of annular contacts of 6082-T6 aluminium alloy has been studied using synchrotron X-rays to examine the extent and development of wear damage by tomography, with evaluation of residual strain and tribologically transformed zone by X-ray diffraction.

This study, published in Tribology International, demonstrates the value and viability of observing and quantifying wear through combination of X-ray CT and diffraction opening a path towards in-situ observations of wear.