Corrosion and wear behaviors of Al-bronzes in 5.0% H2SO4 solution

Steady-state corrosion and wear behaviors of two Al-bronzes, Cu-14Al-X and QAl9-4, in 5.0% H2SO4 solution were investigated. It is found that wear loss of bronzes in 5.0% H2SO4 solution is lower than that in water or in air, namely, it exhibits negative synergy between corrosion and wear. Further analysis shows that corrosive solution plays an important role in cooling of specimen during the sliding wear to prevent the reduction of the surface hardness of specimen, induced by frictional heat. On the other hand, the bronzes suffer a de-alloying corrosion, and a noble copper subsurface and patina form on the specimen surface in corrosive solution, which has a passive function for further corrosion. The noble copper subsurface experiences strain hardening during the corrosion and wear, resulting in the increase of the surface hardness thus the increase in wear resistance.