Influence of alumina dispersoid and test parameters on erosive wear behaviour of a cast zinc–aluminium alloy

Observations made pertaining to the erosive wear characteristics of a cast zinc-based alloy and its composite containing 10 wt.% (corresponding to 11.2 vol.%) alumina particles have been presented in this study. Matrix alloy has also been tested under identical test conditions in order to examine the role played by second phase alumina particles on the erosive wear resistance of the matrix alloy. Eroded surfaces and subsurface regions of the specimens were also characterized to understand the operating wear mechanisms.The composite exhibited higher erosive wear resistance (inverse of erosive wear rate) than the unreinforced matrix alloy in general. Further, the wear rate increased with increasing impingement velocity as also evident from higher surface damage. Increasing angle of impingement at lower impinging velocity led to reduced erosive wear rate. On the contrary, the erosive wear rate increased initially with impingement angle, attained the peak and then decreased at still higher angles at the higher impingement velocity. The eroded surfaces showed more abrasion grooves at lower impingement angle and greater tendency of crater formation at higher angles of attack. In case of the composite, protrusion and fracture of the dispersoid phase was also noted. The composite also revealed less severe surface and subsurface damage than the matrix alloy.