Influence of some test parameters on dry sliding wear characteristics of a zinc-11.5% aluminum alloy

This study analyzes observations made pertaining to the sliding wear response of a Zn-11.5% Al alloy in different test conditions. The wear rate and frictional heating increased with sliding speed and pressure. Seizure pressure of the samples reduced with the test speed. Frictional heating, the severity of surface and subsurface damage, and debris size increased with speed and pressure. Sticking of debris particles on the specimen surface was noted at low sliding speed. Specimen seizure was caused by the application of high pressure in view of excessive adherence of the specimen material on to the disk surface. Considerable wear-induced subsurface deformation took place in general; the degree of deformation decreased as the depth below the wear surface increased. Wear behavior of the samples is discussed in terms of the lubricating nature and thermal stability of its various microconstituents and specific characteristics of wear surfaces, subsurface regions, and debris particles.