Analysing the texture modifications in the worn-out subsurface under different temperatures of AXM1021 Mg alloy

Mg-1.08Al-0.24Ca-1.03Mn (AXM1021 wt.%) Mg alloy was fabricated using the squeeze casting technique. The squeeze cast pin samples were used for a dry sliding wear test at different temperatures (Room temperature (RT), 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C) using a pin-on-disc tribometer. In addition, the pin samples were fabricated in the Squeeze direction (SD) and transverse direction (TD) to analyze the influence of squeeze pressure and the corresponding texture orientation. The specific wear rate (SWR) was estimated using Archard’s empirical formula. It is observed that the SD AXM1021 Mg alloy has a lower SWR in the RT condition than the TD AXM1021 Mg alloy due to low porosity and higher hardness. In addition, increasing the test temperature and sliding velocity conditions the TD AXM1021 Mg alloy to have a low SWR compared to the SD AXM1021 Mg alloy due to a strong basal texture formed on the subsurface, which results in increased wear resistance. Also, the wear mechanism was identified using a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). A mixed mode of wear mechanisms was observed in both SD and TD AXM1021 Mg alloys, including abrasion, oxidation, and delamination wear mechanisms.