Abstract
The present work has used an alternating magnetic field treatment at ambient temperature to improve the wear resistance of nickel-aluminium bronze and aluminium alloy 2014-T6. Pin-on-disc wear tests under lubricating conditions using a AISI52100 steel ball bearing as the counter face material have shown reduction in the width and depth of wear scars as well as lower values of the coefficient of friction following the treatment. The improved wear properties have been attributed to increased precipitation of κIV in the case of the nickel-aluminium bronze and of GP zones as well as θ’’ for AA2014-T6. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed changes in the dislocation distribution, while X-ray diffraction showed changes in the residual stress for both alloys. The mechanism leading to these changes is discussed by consideration of the soft ferromagnetic properties of the nickel-aluminium bronze and the paramagnetic nature of AA2014.
•Improvement of the wear resistance of nickel-aluminium bronze and AA2014-T6 by application of magnetic field was recorded.•Increased dislocation mobility and precipitation were recorded, leading to redistribution of RS and increase in hardness.•Mechanisms responsible for the increased dislocation mobility and precipitation leading to the improvement were suggested.