# Interplay Between Wear and Thermal Expansion in 6082 Aluminum: A Simulation and Experimental Study
## 1 Introduction  
Materials engineering is pivotal in developing durable and efficient components across various industries, including aerospace and automotive engineering [1; 2; 3]. Among the numerous challenges in these fields, wear significantly reduces the lifespan of components and compromises their performance. Wear, defined as the gradual removal of material due to mechanical action [4], and thermal expansion, the change in material dimensions in response to temperature variations [5], are critical phenomena affecting material performance. The interplay between wear and thermal expansion leads to complex changes in contact behavior at frictional interfaces, impacting functionality under operational conditions. When frictional pairs slide against each other, friction generates heat at the contact interface, causing the material's temperature to rise [6; 7]. This temperature increase leads to thermal expansion and material softening, altering the contact behavior [8]. As sliding continues, wear at the contact area changes the contact characteristics, such as contact area, contact pressure, and friction work, subsequently affecting the heat generation at the contact interface [9]. The interplay between wear and thermal effects influences both the wear evolution and temperature distribution of the material. Previous research has explored these interactions. For instance, a simulation study demonstrated that thermal expansion and relative motion jointly affect the wear distribution of friction blocks, causing concave and eccentric wear patterns [10]. Another study used a coupled simulation method to model wear caused by thermal expansions in contact areas, considering factors such as friction, thermal expansion, wear, and temperature-dependent material properties [11]. Additionally, computer modeling of surfaces with microasperities revealed wear and friction regimes in model ceramic materials, dependent on normalstress levels and sliding velocity [12; 13; 14; 15; 16]. Materials with a negative thermal expansion coefficient were found to achieve near-zero wear rates and maintain nano-rough surfaces under specific stress levels, presenting practical applications [17]. A finite element analysis of a disc-pad assembly highlighted that thermal effects influence friction levels, thereby impacting wear rates. This study showed that large deformation and high contact pressure due to thermal stress accelerate wear, emphasizing its importance in brake design and analysis [18]. The interplay between wear and thermal expansion is a complex phenomenon with significant implications for material performance and practical applications. However, to the best of our knowledge, no research has specifically investigated the influence of wearing and thermal expansion on each other. This paper aims to fill this gap by examining how the interplay between wear and thermal expansion influences wear evolution and temperature distribution using a finite element model and a pin-on-disc tribometer, focusing on 6082 aluminum under varying thermal and mechanical conditions. 6082 aluminum, known for its medium strength and good corrosion resistance, is widely used in various applications such as automotive components, aerospace components, and home appliances [19; 20]. Therefore, 6082 aluminum was selected for this study. The research objectives are as follows: Examining how thermal expansion affects the wear characteristics of 6082 aluminum under varying operating conditions; determining the impact of thermal expansion on contact behavior, such as contact area, contact pressure, and friction dissipation rate; investigating how the wear process alters the temperature distribution and thermal expansion of 6082 aluminum during sliding motion; understanding the reciprocal relationship between wear and thermal effects, including how wear-induced changes influence the heat source at the contact interface; exploring the combined impact of wear and thermal expansion on the performance of 6082 aluminum under operational conditions.