Current-carrying wear characteristics of Al-Cu alloys against stainless steel

The wear characteristics of Al-Cu alloy against stainless steel were investigated on the equipment with current applied across the sliding interface. The effects of Cu content (5% ∼ 15%) and current density on the wear surface morphology and wear rate of the alloy were discussed. The results show the wear rate of Al-Cu alloys generally increased with increasing current density and Cu content, revealing a negative relationship between hardness and current-carrying wear rate. It was found that a material transfer layer would be formed on the sliding surface of the stainless steel pin, which induced the adhesive wear of Al-Cu alloy samples and decreased the wear rate of the alloy. Al-Cu alloy with high Cu content had a slower formation of the material transfer layer.