Enhancement in mechanical behavior and wear resistance of severe plastically deformed two-phase Zn-Al alloys

The microstructural evolution, tensile response and wear properties of a two-phase Zn-Al alloy (Zn-8 wt.% Al, ZA-8) have been studied after severe plastic deformation by equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE). The experimental results reveal that the strength levels of the ECAE processed samples were considerably improved regardless of the processing route. More importantly, the elongation at fracture was dramatically increased after ECAE. The optimum tensile properties (high strength and high ductility) were reached after eight ECAE passes following route BA. It was also found that the wear rate of severe plastically deformed ZA-8 is considerably lower than that of the as-cast alloy, especially under high applied pressures, demonstrating improved wear resistance of ZA-8. Moderate strength and high ductility along with improved wear resistance in the ECAE processed ZA-8 samples in comparison with the brittle as-cast alloy makes these alloys attractive for wear-sensitive structural applications.