This study describes a few observations pertaining to the effects produced through the addition of silicon on the tensile and compressive properties and sliding wear response of a zinc-aluminium alloy. The influence of test temperature on the tensile (strength and elongation) properties and sliding speed and pressure on the sliding wear behaviour of the alloys has also been examined. The nature of different microconstituents of the alloys has been taken as a base to explain the characteristics of the specimens. The study shows that addition of silicon to the alloy system becomes beneficial under test conditions involving higher operating temperatures while the trend reverses at low temperatures. The former has been attributed to the thermal stability attributed by the element at elevated temperatures. On the contrary, the predominating microcracking tendency introduced in the alloy system by the element (silicon) leads to inferior properties under low temperature conditions. Moreover, the lubricating and load bearing capabilities of phases like α and η become effective towards improving the response of the silicon-free alloy under low temperature conditions only and their positive effects cannot be realized at high temperatures in view of (their) low melting points. Thus, addition of silicon becomes helpful under specific conditions only.
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