Effects of alumina particle dispersion on the erosive–corrosive wear response of a zinc-based alloy under changing slurry conditions and distance

This investigation analyses the influence of dispersed alumina particles on the wear behaviour of a zinc-based alloy in a slurry, comprising suspended sand particles. The influence of the sand content (in the slurry) and travel distance on the wear characteristics of the samples was also studied. Wear rate increased initially with distance, attained a peak, decreased thereafter, and finally, attained a steady-state value at longer distances. These stages were more defined when tests were conducted in the liquid (electrolyte) medium without sand. Addition of sand particles in the electrolyte reduced the wear rate of the specimens. It was also observed that when tests were conducted in the electrolyte plus sand (i.e., slurry with sand), wear rate first increased with the sand content (of the electrolyte), attained a maximum at an intermediate sand concentration, and then finally, decreased as the concentration of sand particles was increased further. The composite showed better wear resistance than the matrix alloy in general. The observations have further been substantiated through the examination of wear surfaces and subsurface regions of the samples.