A review on the tribological behavior of zinc-aluminum based composites: Role of reinforcements, surface engineering, and wear modeling approaches

Zinc-aluminum (ZA) based composites are widely recognized for their exceptional mechanical and tribological properties. The combination of low cost, ease of manufacturing, and tunable properties has made ZA alloys suitable for various industrial applications, particularly in the automotive sectors. The review paper focuses on the tribological performance of zinc-aluminum based composites and the effect of various reinforcement materials on their wear and friction properties. The influence of various factors and environmental conditions on the tribological behavior of ZA-based composites are analyzed in detail. Furthermore, the review presents a comparative evaluation of reinforced versus unreinforced ZA alloys and explores the underlying wear mechanisms. Recent advancements in predictive wear modeling using empirical, analytical, and machine learning techniques are also discussed. The paper concludes with insights into the key challenges and future trends in the development of high-performance tribological composites. The study aims to guide future development of ZA-based composites for advanced engineering applications under diverse tribological environments.