Correlated wear measurements using gold implantation, backscattering, nuclear activation analysis and profilometry

High and ultra-mild wear of Al–Si alloys under lubrication is measured (a) by comparison of initial and retained gold concentration in surfaces, (b) by tracking gold in the effluent lubricant or (c) alloy specific elements, and (d) by stylus profilometry. Wear >1 μm is best captured by method (d). However, (d) fails when both tribologically induced films have formed and wear is below 100 nm. Method (c) is efficient in a broad range of wear if element concentrations can be determined precisely. Methods (a) and (b) satisfy this requirement but they are only efficient for ultra-mild wear.