Probing fretting behavior of Mg–Sn–Y alloy under high-performance fluids lubrication

Abstract The attention is focused on high-performance Mg alloys due to their favorable biocompatibility, lightweight, physicochemical and mechanical properties. Here, the fretting performance of Mg–Sn–Y alloy was evaluated under fluids lubrication, and the fretting mechanism was explored in detail via analysis of wear track/debris using SEM and XPS depth profile. The results illustrate that the friction reduction is superior to wear resistance for lubricated Mg–Sn–Y/Steel contact under fretting conditions, mainly depending on the oil-film induced transformation of fretting running regime and transition of fretting wear (from adhesive/oxidation wear and delamination under dry friction to abrasive wear and delamination under fluids lubrication). Hence fretting performance of Mg–Sn–Y alloy under fluids lubrication depends on fretting running regime and synergy of oil-film/protective film.