Severe-mild wear transition in AlZn rubbing caused by the formation of semiconducting materials on the sliding surface

Abstract

A severe-mild wear transition was found in Alrubbing. Aluminium and zinc are both non-transition metals, hence mild wear has never been observed in AlAl and ZnZn rubbings under dry sliding conditions in air. However, mild wear was found during aluminium pin and zinc disk rubbing. From the measurement of current-voltage characteristics on the zinc disk surface, it was determined that the transition of wear mode from severe to mild wear occurred due to the formation of a semiconducting material in the wear track during sliding. The occurrence of mild wear in AlZn rubbing is discussed in reference to the formation of semiconducting material on the sliding surface. Further, the occurrence of mild wear in AlZn rubbing through the formation of semiconducting materials was endorsed by the wear of semiconductor silicon in sliding contact with metals.