Sliding wear behaviour of zinc-based alloy vis-à-vis gray cast iron as influenced by applied load and sliding speed

Purpose - The objectives of this paper are to assess the sliding wear response of a zinc-based alloy over a range of sliding speeds and pressures in oil-lubricated condition with respect to a cast iron, to understand the role of different microconstituents in controlling the observed wear behaviour and to examine various operating material removal mechanisms.Design methodology approach - Sliding wear tests have been carried out using a pin-on-disc machine in oil-lubricated condition at different speeds and pressures. The wear response has been explained in terms of specific nature of various microconstituents of the specimen materials and substantiated through the characteristics of wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris particles.Findings - The wear rate increased with the sliding speed while load produced a mixed influence. Further, the friction coefficient and frictional heating were influenced by the test duration, load and speed in a mixed manner. Moreover, the zinc-based alloy attained lower wear rate but higher friction coefficient than that of the cast iron while frictional heating followed a mixed trend.Practical implications - The paper further establishes a zinc-based alloy as a potential substitute material system to a well-known cast iron in tribological applications and enables further understanding of the wear mechanisms.Originality value - The present paper assesses the sliding wear performance of a lighter zinc-based alloy as an effective potential substitute material system to cast iron in tribological applications. An attempt has also been made to understand the role played by different microconstituents in controlling the wear behavior and substantiate the wear response through the characteristics of wear surfaces, subsurface regions and debris.