Evolution of Tribological Properties of Cast Al–10Zn–2Mg Alloy Subjected to Severe Plastic Deformation

Abstract

In the current investigation, tribological behaviour of the cast Al–10Zn–2Mg alloy processed by severe plastic deformation (SPD) technique was studied. In this work, one of the SPD techniques, equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was adopted as a processing tool. ECAP was carried out in route B_C and processing was attempted at the lowest temperature. After ECAP, grain structure of the material was refined and considerable improvement in the microhardness of the alloy was perceived. Mainly, wear resistance of the alloy material was enhanced with successive ECAP passes. Coefficient of friction of the alloy material was decreased with successive ECAP passes. Wear resistance of the alloy was decreased with a rise in the applied load and the sliding speed. Both at low and high load condition, abrasive wear was noticed in as-cast and homogenized specimens. Whereas in ECAPed specimens, in addition to abrasive wear, oxidation wear and adhesive wear were observed in low load and it changes to abrasive wear at high load. In the ECAPed specimens, at low load transfer of iron particles from the steel disc surface to the specimen surface was identified.