Tribocorrosion

The term "tribocorrosion" refers to the process leading to the degradation (cracking, work hardening) and wear of the surface of a metallic material under the combined effects of a mechanical contact stress (friction, impact) and corrosion by a surrounding environment.

In practice, tribocorrosion can affect a large number of extremely varied tribological systems, comprising mechanical devices composed of generally metallic parts in contact and in relative motion (pump mechanisms, bearing assemblies, gears, bearings, hinges, orthopaedic implants etc.) placed in an environment proving to be corrosive to the metallic materials constituting the tribological surfaces. It is important to note that, due to the combined mechanisms of friction and corrosion, reasoning based purely on the hardness or other physical characteristics of a material do not make it possible to predict the service life of any particular materials involved in that contact. In this article, we aim to set out the current or developing state of theoretical knowledge concerning tribocorrosion, along with a number of points which we have yet to explain.

The phenomenon of tribocorrosion can impact a great many industries, from the transport to the energy sector: areas of strategic importance.