Effects of some material and experimental variables can the slurry wear characteristics of zinc-aluminum alloys

In this study, the slurry wear behavior of a zinc-based alloy has been examined by the sample rotation method over a range of traversal speeds and distances. The influence of adding silicon to the alloy system on its wear characteristics has also been examined. The wear rate of the samples increased with increasing traversal distance initially attained a peak, and then tended to decrease at longer distances. The initial increase in wear rate with distance mas attributed to the indenting effect of the slurry constituents (i.e., liquid droplets and the erodant particles) associated with the corrosive action of the liquid in slurry. On the contrary, factors such as entrapment of the erodant mass as well as the corrosion products in the cavities formed on the specimen surfaces could lead to the decrease in wear rate at longer traversal distances. The existence of silicon particles in the alloy microstructure led to improved wear resistance of the alloy system, This was due to the resistance offered by the hard silicon particles against the impinging action of the slurry constituents. Attainment of the wear rate peak at longer traversal distances in the case of the silicon-containing alloy over the one without the element further substantiated the superior wear resistance offered by the silicon particles, Traversal speed led to higher wear rates irrespective of the test conditions and material composition due to the more severe attack of the medium on the specimen surface. However, the presence of silicon particles in the alloy microstructure offered improved wear resistance (inverse of wear rate).