Sliding wear characteristics of Al-Sn binary alloys

Abstract

Dry wear tests of Al-Sn binary alloys containing 30 and 40%Sn were performed by rubbing the alloys against carbon steel on a pin-ring wear testing machine. Three different mechanisms, abrasive, oxidizing and melting wear function in wear of the Al-Sn alloys. The oxidizing wear of the alloys results in forming the oxidized layer on the sliding surface and in the minimum wear rate. The sliding surface of the alloys worn in the abrasive and melting wear mechanisms is considerably hardened, but that worn in the oxidizing mechanism is softened. The eutectic structure in the sliding surface layer in the alloys is strongly squeezed. The iron containing layer is formed on the sliding surface of the Al-Sn alloys by abrasive wear. If the melting wear occurs, considerable amounts of Al-Sn alloy adhere to the sliding surface of carbon steel.