Study on the Wear Characteristics of Zn Precipitation‐Strengthened Al Alloy

This study investigates the wear behavior of as‐cast aluminum alloys containing Sn or Zn, with minor additions of Cu and Mg. The effects of alloy composition on hardness, friction coefficient, and wear resistance are evaluated through microstructural analysis and ball‐on‐disc sliding tests. AlZn alloys exhibit higher hardness and smaller deformation‐affected zones compared to AlSn alloys, primarily due to precipitation strengthening. Wear test results of the AlZn alloys reveal an inverse relationship between hardness and mass loss. In contrast, Sn‐containing alloys exhibit a proportional relationship between hardness and mass loss, which results in adhesive wear accompanied by the readsorption of Sn on the worn surface. Zn‐containing alloys predominantly experienced abrasive wear, leading to more uniform and consistent surface morphology. Notably, the Al–17Zn–0.5Cu–0.1Mg (wt%) alloy exhibits both a low friction coefficient and minimal mass loss, indicating excellent wear resistance.