Tribological properties of AlCoCrFeNiCu high-entropy alloy in hydrogen peroxide solution and in oil lubricant

Pin-on-disc tests to investigate the tribological behavior of AlCoCrFeNiCu high-entropy alloy under lubrication conditions with 90% hydrogen peroxide solution and lubricant oil, respectively, were performed. The study demonstrates that the AlCoCrFeNiCu high-entropy alloy lubricated correspondingly with lubricant of 90% hydrogen peroxide solution (hereafter termed hydrogen peroxide lubricant) and lubricant oil significantly improves its friction and wear-resistance properties. Results showed that the friction coefficient, after a grinding stage, of the rubbing pair was lower than that with normal lubricant oil. The AlCoCrFeNiCu alloy in the lubricant with 90% hydrogen peroxide solution and lubricant oil exhibits a high resistance to wear. Analysis of the worn surface revealed that the AlCoCrFeNiCu high-entropy alloy lubricated with the hydrogen peroxide lubricant exhibited signs of inhomogeneous polishing oxidation and abrasive wear, with the wear mechanism changing with sliding distance, while the rubbing pair in normal lubricant oil is mainly dominated by abrasive wear. ► Tribological behavior of alloys in 90% H2O2 and lubricant oil were studied. ► These two lubricants improve alloys friction and wear-resistance properties. ► The friction coefficient of pair in 90% H2O2 was lower than that in lubricant oil. ► The wear mechanism exhibited sign of inhomogeneous under these two conditions.