  This paper experimentally investigated the effects of silicone oil on the
tribological behaviour of AZ31B/86CrMoV7 contact pair under a pin-on-disk
configuration. A commercial silicone oil was used as an oxidation inhibiter for
the AZ31B at elevated temperatures to 300 oC. The wear mechanism of the contact
pair was explored by SEM morphologies of worn surfaces. The analysis revealed
that silicone oil can effectively minimize surface oxidation. Compared with dry
sliding, silicone oil can considerably lower down the friction coefficient and
specific wear rate. Under lubrication, the abrasive wear at a lower temperature
can transit to the combined wear of abrasion, fatigue and adhesion when the
temperature rises.
