LAUSR

Abstract The failure of 316 stainless steel under tribo-corrosion in molten zinc alloy (Zn-0.2Al, wt%) at 460 °C was investigated and compared with corrosion or the sole wear. In the absence of wear, intact Fe2Al5Znx layer forms and protects the steel from dramatic corrosion. Without liquid-metal corrosion, the steel suffers from plastic deformation on friction and slight adhesive wear. While for tribo-corrosion, the synergy of corrosion and wear accounts for 90 % of material loss. Firstly, corrosion generates a brittle scale and leads to embrittlement at subsurface, which accelerate wear. Secondly, wear promotes the formation of less-protective FeZn10 scale, accelerating corrosion.