Sand Abrasive Wear Behavior of Hot Forged Al 6061-TiO2 Composites

Nickel-coated TiO₂ particulate reinforced Al6061 matrix composites developed using the vortex technique were hot forged at a temperature of 500 °C. A constant deformation ratio of 6:1 was adopted. Hot forged Al6061 alloy and Al6061-TiO₂ composites were then subjected to heat treatment by solutionizing at a temperature of 530 °C for duration of 2 h followed by ice quenching. Both natural and artificial aging at 175 °C were performed on the quenched samples from 2 to 8 h duration in steps of 2. Microstructure, microhardness, and dry sand abrasive wear behavior of both matrix alloy and developed composites in both as-forged and heat-treated conditions have been evaluated. Worn surface studies have been carried out using scanning electron microscope. Results have revealed that nickel-coated TiO₂ particles are uniformly distributed through out the matrix alloy. Microhardness of Al6061-TiO₂ composites increases with increase in percentage of reinforcement. Heat-treated forged alloy and its composites possesses higher hardness when compared with the forged composites. Forged Al6061-TiO₂ composites exhibited lower abrasive wear loss when compared with the forged matrix alloy. Heat treatment has a profound effect on the abrasive wear resistance of both as-forged Al6061 alloy and Al6061-TiO₂ composites.