Adhesive Wear

Canonical Definition

Wear caused by the transfer of material from one surface to another when two surfaces in contact undergo relative motion. Under high contact stress and inadequate lubricant film thickness, metal-to-metal asperity contact occurs. Surface asperities weld momentarily and shear, transferring metal fragments from one surface to the other. These transferred fragments become abrasive particles in the lubricant, creating a secondary abrasive wear mode. Adhesive wear is accelerated by contaminated oil, incorrect oil viscosity, high temperature, and overloaded components.

Engineering Context

Adhesive wear is characteristic of lubrication starvation and occurs when lubricant film thickness falls below the combined roughness of opposing surfaces. The wear products from adhesive wear (iron and other metal particles) are typically 1–10 µm and contribute to rapidly increasing oil contamination levels, which in turn accelerate abrasive wear — a self-reinforcing degradation cycle that can lead to rapid bearing seizure.

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Protection Systems

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