Dry sliding wear behavior of hot extruded ZE41A magnesium alloy

Dry sliding wear tests were performed on a hot extruded ZE41A magnesium alloy using a pin-on-disc (EN32 steel) configuration. Wear rates were measured in a load range of 30–150 N, sliding velocity range of 0.5–2.5 m/s at a constant sliding distance of 1500 m. Microstructures of worn surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Wear maps were drawn. An empirical wear transition map has been constructed to delineate the conditions under which severe wear and ultra severe wear initiated. The dominant wear mechanisms in each wear regime were identified and classified in a wear mechanism map.