Tribological Performance of 60NiTi Alloy Under Varying Contact Conditions and Elevated Temperatures in Linear Reciprocating Sliding

The tribological behaviour and thermal performance of as‐received 60NiTi alloy for load‐bearing and high‐temperature applications were investigated in this study. A linear reciprocating tribometer was used to evaluate the effects of applied load and temperature on 60NiTi alloy sliding against Al ₂ O ₃ under dry and water‐lubricated conditions. Initial surface characterisation confirmed the ordered intermetallic microstructure, consistent with characteristic x‐ray diffraction (XRD) peaks. The results showed that adhesive and abrasive wear dominated material loss under dry sliding at room temperature, leading to the highest wear volume (Wv = 2.2145 mm ³ ), whereas water lubrication reduced friction and produced moderate wear. At elevated temperatures (above 200°C), oxidative wear became the predominant mechanism, stabilising the sliding interface, lowering friction coefficients ( µ ≤0.33) and significantly reducing wear, with the lowest wear observed at 600°C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD analyses confirmed phase stability, while surface morphology and compositional analyses highlighted the protective role of oxide layers in improving wear resistance. These findings demonstrate that thermally driven oxidation, rather than adhesive or abrasive wear, governs the superior tribological performance of 60NiTi alloy at elevated temperatures, supporting its suitability for demanding high‐temperature applications.