Fabrication of the Cu-Zn multilayer and Cu-Zn alloy by accumulative roll bonding (ARB) with an emphasis on the wear behavior

Accumulative roll bonding (ARB) was used to fabricate the Cu-Zn multilayer and Cu-Zn solid solution. A lamellar structure with the hardness of about 130 VHN was formed after eight ARB cycles. Following to the suitable heat treatment, a solid solution with a uniform microstructure and hardness of about 57 VHN was produced. The dominant wear mechanism in the ARB processed multilayer was found to be delamination and spalling while in the heat-treated sample was adhesion. The weight loss of the ARBed multilayer was higher due to the occurrence of spalling and formation of the cracks and cavities during the ARB. On the other hand, the friction coefficient and its undulation were lower, which was contributed to the lubricating effect of Zn and the higher hardness of the ARB processed multilayer. In the heat-treated sample, the ability to plastic deformation and the adhesion between the contact surfaces causes the increase in the friction coefficient and its variation.