Effects of Al2O3 particle reinforcement on the lubricated sliding wear behavior of ZA-27 alloy composites

The present investigation deals with the effect of Al2O3 particle reinforcement on the lubricated sliding behavior of ZA-27 alloy. The composites with 3, 5, and 10 wt% of Al2O3 particles were produced by the compocasting procedure. Tribological properties of alloy and composites were studied, using block-on-disk tribometer at different specific loads and sliding speeds. The test results revealed that composite specimens exhibited significantly lower wear rate, but higher coefficient of friction than the matrix alloy specimens in all the combinations of applied loads and sliding speeds. The improved antiwear characteristics of the composites were influenced by positive effects of higher frictional heating on compatibility of the composite phases and suppressing micro-cracking tendency. Due to that, effects of reinforcing hard particles were manifested through the reduced wear rate of composites, especially in conditions of higher load, lower sliding speeds and higher Al2O3 particle content. In present wear tests, the significant forming of mechanically mixed layers was not noticed, what is confirmed by the SEM microphotographs.