Particle Size Effects of Silicon Carbide on Wear Behavior of SiC<Subscript>p</Subscript>-Reinforced Magnesium Matrix Composites

This article investigated the particle size effect of micro-sized SiC on the tribological behavior of SiC_p-reinforced AZ91D Mg-based metal–matrix composites (MMCs). The Mg MMCs were prepared by the melt-stirring technique for wear tests. The hardness and coefficient of friction of Mg MMCs increases as particle size of SiC particle in MMCs increases, except for the hardness tendency at the region between particle size of 11 and 15 μm. The SiC_p/AZ91D MMCs exhibit superior wear resistance under lower and moderate sliding condition. However, the effects of the SiC particle reinforcements on wear resistance are not as conclusive under severe sliding condition, since the matrix of MMCs were softened at elevated temperature under such a severe condition.     

Effect of SiC Particle Size on Wear Properties of Al2O3·SiO2/SiC/Mg Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SiC particle size on the wear properties of magnesium-based hybrid metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with Saffil short fibers and SiC particles. Hybrid MMCs with different SiC particle sizes of 1, 7, and 20 μm, respectively, were fabricated by the squeeze infiltration process. The volume fractions of Saffil short fibers and SiC particles in the hybrid composites were 15 and 5%, respectively. Wear tests were carried out using a ball-on-disk against a steel ball under the dry sliding condition. The test results showed that the composite with large-sized SiC particles had an improved wear resistance compared with the smaller sized particles.     

Wear behaviour of Al/(Al2O3p+SiCp) hybrid composites

In this study, dry sliding metal–metal and metal–abrasive wear behaviours of the aluminium matrix hybrid composites produced by pressure infiltration technique were investigated. These composites were reinforced with 37 vol% Al₂O₃ and 25 vol% SiC particles and contained up to 8 wt% Mg in their matrixes. While matrix hardness and compression strength increased, amount of porosity and impact toughness decreased with increasing Mg content of the matrix. Metal–metal and metal–abrasive wear tests revealed that wear resistance of the composites increased with increasing Mg addition. On the other hand, abrasive resistance decreased with increasing test temperature, especially above 200 °C.     

Comparison on abrasive wear of SiCrFe, CrFeC and Al2O3 reinforced Al2024 MMCs

The effects of volume fraction and size of SiCrFe, CrFeC, and Al₂O₃ particulates on the abrasive wear rate of compo-casted Al2024 metal matrix composites (MMCs) were studied. The process variables like the stirring speed, position and the diameter of the stirrer have affected the diffusion between particulates and matrix.The abrasive wear rate was decreased by the increase in particulate volume fraction of SiCrFe and CrFeC intermetallic reinforced composites over 80 grade SiC abrasive paper. The wear rates of the all composites decreased with aging treatment, and the best result was seen for the composite having a hybrite structure as SiCrFe and CrFeC particulates together. Nevertheless, the fabrication of composites containing soft particles as copper favors a reduction in the friction coefficient.     

Effects of silicon carbide particle sizes on friction-wear properties of friction composites designed for car brake lining applications

Apart from the service conditions during the braking (e.g. applied pressure, velocity of rotor) the friction-wear properties of friction composites used as a car brake lining are directly influenced by their composition. Among the components used for a car brake lining, the chemical and structural nature of the abrasives, jointly with the morphology and size of the particles, influence the friction parameters and stability of the composite. In the present paper the effect of silicon carbide abrasive of various particle sizes (40, 10, and 3 μm) on the friction-wear properties of friction composites based on potassium titanate ceramics is summarized. The composites with an increasing amount of the abrasive in composition (3.4, 5.6, 9.0, and 14.6 vol%) for each SiC size were prepared. The highest values of friction coefficient as well as the lowest fade for the composites containing the finest SiC fraction (median value 3 μm) were obtained. Contrary to the friction coefficient, the values of specific wear rate decrease with increasing SiC particle size. Transport of the iron particles, originated from the cast iron rotor, increases with SiC particle size and decreases with the testing temperature.     

Experimental and Prediction of Abrasive Wear Behavior of Sintered Cu-SiC Composites Containing Graphite by Using Artificial Neural Networks

Experimental investigations were undertaken to determine the abrasive wear behavior of various percentages of Cu-SiC-Gr hybrid composites. Wear tests were carried out using a pin-on-disc type machine using various input parameters like load, sliding distance, and sliding velocity with various SiC abrasive papers of grit size 80, 220, and 400, having an average particle size of 192, 102, and 45 μm. Neural networks are employed to study the tribological behavior of sintered Cu-SiC-Gr hybrid composites. Optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive spectral observations are used to evaluate the characteristics. The proposed neural network model used the measured parameters, namely, the weight percentage of graphite, abrasive size, sliding speed, load, and sliding distance, to predict the wear loss of the composite. In order to improve the accuracy and obtain better results, an artificial neural network (ANN) with a genetic algorithm (GA) function was used. Optimization of the training process of the ANN using a GA is performed and the results are compared with the ANN trained without a GA. The predicted values from the proposed networks coincide with the experimental values.     

High stress abrasive wear behaviour of aluminium hard particle composites: Effect of experimental parameters, particle size and volume fraction

High stress abrasive wear behaviour of aluminium alloy (ADC-12)–SiC particle reinforced composites has been studied as a function of applied load, reinforcement size and volume fraction, and has been compared with that of the matrix alloy. Two different size ranges (25–50 and 50–80 μm) of SiC particles have been used for synthesizing ADC-12–SiC composite. The volume fraction of SiC particles has been varied in the ranges from 5 to 15 wt%. It has been noted that the abrasive wear rate of the alloy reduced considerably due to addition of SiC particle and the wear rate of composite decreases linearly with increase in SiC content. It has also been noted that the wear resistance of composite varies inversely with square of the reinforcement size. The wear rate of the alloy and composite has been found to be a linear function of applied load but invariant to the abrasive size; at critical abrasive size, transition in wear behaviour is noted. This has been explained through analytically derived equations and wear–surface examination.     

Friction and wear behaviour of rapid prototype parts by direct metal laser sintering

Abstract

Rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RP/M) is one of the proven tools for product development owing to its advantages such as short product cycle, high quality product and possibility of fabricating functionally gradient materials. Several RP/M techniques do exist. Among them, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) method is quite popular as near net shape components with high dimensional accuracies can be manufactured. Meager information is available as regards the tribological behaviour of laser built parts, although this is vital in judging the suitability of built-up parts for applications where sliding is inevitable. In the light of the above, the present investigation is aimed at building parts by DMLS technique of RP/M using 50 μm iron powder and characterising its density, microstructure, microhardness, tensile strength, friction and wear behaviour under sliding conditions. The effect of laser speed on the above properties of built-up parts has been studied. The build layer thickness was maintained at 50 μm. Laser diameter of 0˙4 mm, laser power of 180 W and hatch spacing of 0˙2 mm were adopted. However, the laser speed was varied from 50 to 125 mm s^–1 in steps of 25 mm s^–1. Laser speed had a profound influence on density, microstructure, microhardness, tensile strength, friction and wear behaviour of built-up parts. Lesser laser speed resulted in higher density, microhardness, tensile strength and wear resistance while higher laser speed promoted lowering of coefficient of friction.     

Influence of CrC addition in Ni-Cr-Si-B flame sprayed coatings on microstructure, microhardness and wear behaviour

In the present paper the influence of the addition of chromium carbide (CrC) particles on the microstructure, microhardness and abrasive wear behaviour of flame sprayed Ni-Cr-Si-B coatings deposited on low carbon steel substrate has been reported. Wear behaviour of the coatings was evaluated with a pin-on-block wear system against SiC abrasive medium (120 & 600 grades) over a range of normal load (5–20 N). It was observed that the wear behaviour is governed by the material related parameters (microstructure, microhardness of coating) and test parameters (abrasive grit size and normal load). The addition of CrC reduces the wear rate three to eightfold. Wear resistance was greater against coarse abrasives at high loads than against fine abrasives. Heat treatment of both unmodified (1004) and modified powder (1004-10%CrC, 1004-20%CrC) coatings deteriorated the abrasive wear resistance. SEM study of wear surfaces showed that wear of the coatings largely takes place by groove formation, plowing and scoring. Electron probe micro analysis (EPMA) of the coating was carried out for composition and phase analysis.     

Prediction of wear behaviour of A356/SiCp MMCs using neural networks

In the present investigation, artificial neural network (ANN) approach was used to predict the wear behaviour of A356/SiC metal matrix composites (MMCs) prepared using rheocasting route. The ANN model was obtained to aid in prediction and optimization of the wear rates of the composites. The effect of the SiC particles size, SiC weight percent, applied pressure and test temperature on the wear resistance was evaluated using the ANN model. The results have shown that ANN is an effective tool in the prediction of the properties of MMCs, and quite useful instead of time-consuming experimental processes.     

Investigations on the influence of graphite filler on dry sliding wear and abrasive wear behaviour of carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites

In this experimental study, the dry sliding wear and two-body abrasive wear behaviour of graphite filled carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composite was used as a reference material. Sliding wear experiments were conducted using a pin-on-disc wear tester under dry contact condition. Mass loss was determined as a function of sliding velocity for loads of 25, 50, 75, and 100 N at a constant sliding distance of 6000 m. Two-body abrasive wear experiments were performed under multi-pass condition using silicon carbide (SiC) of 150 and 320 grit abrasive papers. The effects of abrading distance and different loads have been studied. Abrasive wear volume and specific wear rate as a function of applied normal load and abrading distance were also determined.The results show that in dry sliding wear situations, for increased load and sliding velocity, higher wear loss was recorded. The excellent wear characteristics were obtained with carbon-epoxy containing graphite as filler. Especially, 10 wt.% of graphite in carbon-epoxy gave a low wear rate. A graphite surface film formed on the counterface was confirmed to be effective in improving the wear characteristics of graphite filled carbon-epoxy composites. In case of two-body abrasive wear, the wear volume increases with increasing load/abrading distance. Experimental results showed the type of counterface (hardened steel disc and SiC paper) material greatly influences the wear behaviour of the composites. Wear mechanisms of the composites were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Wear of carbon-epoxy composite was found to be mainly due to a microcracking and fiber fracture mechanisms. It was found that the microcracking mechanism had been caused by progressive surface damage. Further, it was also noticed that carbon-epoxy composite wear is reduced to a greater extent by addition of the graphite filler, in which wear was dominated by microplowing/microcutting mechanisms instead of microcracking.     

Cutting performance of Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>N<Subscript>4</Subscript> based SiC ceramic cutting tools

Composites of Si₃N₄-SiC containing up to 30 wt% of dispersed SiC particles were fabricated via hot-pressing with an oxynitride glass. To determine the effect of sintering time and SiC content on the mechanical properties and the cutting performance, the composites with fixed 8 hr-sintering time and 20 wt% SiC content were fabricated and tested. Fracture toughness of the composites increased with increasing sintering time, while the hardness increased as the SiC content increased up to 20 wt%. The hardness of the composites was relatively independent of the grain size and the sintered density. For machining heat-treated AISI4140, the insert with 20 wt% SiC sintered for 8 hr showed the longest tool life while the insert with 20 wt% SiC sintered for 12 hr showed the longest tool life for machining gray cast iron. An effort was made to relate the mechanical properties, such as hardness, fracture toughness and wear resistance coefficient with the tool life. However, no apparent relationship was found between them. It may be stated that tool life is affected by not only the mechanical properties but also other properties such as surface roughness, density, grian size and the number of the inherent defects in the inserts.     

Direct laser cladding of SiC dispersed AISI 316L stainless steel

The present study concerns development of SiC dispersed (5 and 20 wt%) AISI 316L stainless steel metal-matrix composites by direct laser cladding with a high power diode laser and evaluation of its mechanical properties (microhardness and wear resistance). A defect free and homogeneous composite layer is formed under optimum processing condition. The microstructure consists of partially dissociated SiC, Cr₃C₂ and Fe₂Si in grain refined stainless steel matrix. The microhardness of the clad layer increases to a maximum of 340 VHN (for 5% SiC dispersed) and 800 VHN (for 20% SiC dispersed) as compared to 150 VHN of commercially available AISI 316L stainless steel. Direct laser clad SiC dispersed AISI 316L stainless steel has shown an improved wear resistance against diamond surface with a maximum improvement in 20% SiC dispersed AISI 316L stainless steel. The mechanism of wear was predominantly abrasive in nature.     

Steel machining chips as reinforcements to improve sliding wear resistance of metal alloys: Study of a model Zn-based alloy system

Two new steel-reinforced, metal-matrix composites (MMCs), Kirksite+1080 and Kirksite+M2 are developed by adding 25 wt% of AISI 1080/AISI M2 steel machining chips to a zinc-based alloy, Kirksite (4% Al and 3% Cu). The sliding wear resistance of the Zn alloy and the two MMCs, against AISI 52100 steel, is determined under increasing normal load (1–10 N) and temperature (25–150 °C), using a pin-on-disc configuration. The MMCs are found to exhibit superior wear performance under all test conditions. At room temperature, a maximum wear reduction in excess of 70% is obtained for the composites relative to the Zn-alloy at the highest load of 10 N. This reduction is as much as 86% at 150 °C and 1 N for the Kirksite+M2. The wear-reducing ability of the steel reinforcements is generally greater at the more severe contact conditions. The stability of the MMC matrices and recommended limits to the MMC operating temperatures are established using deformation measurements made via dynamic mechanical analysis. The principal wear mechanisms are analysed based on the sliding wear measurements, complemented by optical microscopy and SEM observations, and EDX microanalysis. The results show that the steel chip reinforcements are effective in improving the wear resistance of Zn alloys under severe conditions. Implications for use of low-cost machining chips as reinforcements to create MMCs for improved wear performance, and for recycling/reuse of these chips in advanced structural material systems are discussed.     

Comparative study of micro- and nano-ZnO reinforced UHMWPE composites under dry sliding wear

This is a comparative study between ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) reinforced with micro-zinc oxide (ZnO) and nano-ZnO under different filler loads. These composites were subjected to dry sliding wear test under abrasive conditions. The micro- and nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites were prepared by using a hot compression mould. The wear and friction behaviours were monitored using a pin-on-disc (POD) test rig. The pin-shaped samples were slid against 400 grit SiC abrasive papers, which were pasted, on the stainless steel disc under dry sliding conditions. The worn surfaces and transfer film formed were observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Experimental results showed that UHMWPE reinforced with micro- and nano-ZnO would improve the wear behaviour. The average coefficient of friction (COF) for both micro- and nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites were comparable to pure UHMWPE. The weight loss due to wear for nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites are lower compared to micro-ZnO/UHMWPE and pure UHMWPE. The optimum filler loading of nano-ZnO/UHMWPE composites is found to be at 10 wt%. The worn surface of ZnO/UHMWPE composites shows the wear mechanisms of abrasive and adhesive wear. Upon reinforcement with micro- and nano-ZnO, the abrasive and adhesive wear of worn surfaces transited from rough to smooth.     

Slotted-electrical discharge diamond cut-off grinding of Al/SiC/B4C hybrid metal matrix composite

Advanced manufacturing industries need materials with high strength and low weight in the fields of advanced engineering, such as automobiles and aeronautics. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are one of the advanced engineering materials that meet the above requirements. To enhance the properties of MMCs, researchers added an additional phase of reinforcements into single reinforced MMCs; such developed MMCs are known as hybrid MMCs. The additional phase of reinforcements enhances the properties of MMCs, but simultaneously leads to rapid tool wear and poor machinability. This study developed an innovative hybrid machining process (HMP) consisting of electrical discharge grinding and diamond grinding in such a way that both the processes occur alternately with equal intervals due to the rotation of a slotted abrasive grinding wheel. The performance of the hybrid process was tested on an Al/SiC_p/B₄C_p work-piece in cut-off grinding mode. The experiments were conducted on an electrical discharge machining machine, which consists of a separate attachment on a vertical column to rotate the wheel. Pulse current, pulse on-time, pulse off-time, wheel RPM, and abrasive grit number were taken as input parameters while material removal rate (MRR) and average surface roughness were taken as output parameters. Result were shown that the HMP gives higher MRR with better surface finish as compared to the constituent processes. Pulse current ranging from 3 A to 21 A, pulse on-time ranging from 30 μs to 200 μs, and pulse off-time ranging from 15 μs to 90 μs were also found to be more suitable for higher MRR, and a wheel RPM at 1300 RPM was more suitable for higher MRR with better surface finish.     

Experimental study of microstructure,mechanical and tribological properties of cBN particulates SS316 alloy based MMCs fabricated by DMLS technique

Direct metal laser sintering process (DMLS) was chosen to develop cBN particulates reinforced SS316 based Metal matrix composite (MMC) with 5 %, 7.5 % and 10 % cBN in the nitrogen gas atmosphere using continuous wave fibre laser of 400 W output capacity. Effects of process parameters such as laser power, beam scanning speed and the mixing ratio of powder on different physical properties of the developed MMC were investigated. It was found that the physical and mechanical properties such as friction and wear behavior, micro hardness and density come up with improved results. FESEM images indicate the microstructure of the composite and evidently confirms the presence of cubic boron nitride in the SS316 matrix where chromium nitride acted as a binder in the presence of nitrogen atmosphere. The Vickers hardness values of the developed MMCs with laser power 60 W and 65 W were found in the range of 276-478 HV_0.2 and 297-460 HV_0.2, respectively. It was found that Vickers hardness is directly proportional to the % of cBN in the powder mixture and the laser beam power. The wear resistance of the sintered MMCs increased with increasing cBN content in powder mixture and results show that wear of MMCs are much lower than that of SS316. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the fabricated MMC confirms the presence of different phases such as cBN, CrN, CrB₂, Cr₂N and Fe₃N as a consequence of a series of chemical reaction between cBN and different elements of SS316 in nitrogen atmosphere.     

Influence of orientation and volume fraction of Aramid fabric on abrasive wear performance of polyethersulfone composites

In case of fabric reinforced composites of specialty polymers influence of orientation of fabric and its volume fraction on tribo-behaviour is sparingly studied. In our earlier work, we have reported on the influence of amount of Aramid fabric (AF) in polyethersulfone (PES) on abrasive wear performance. However, orientation effect of fabric with respect to abrading plane was not investigated. In this work three orientations of composites of PES containing Aramid (Kevlar 29) fabric with three concentrations 64, 72 and 83 wt.% were selected to study the influence on abrasive wear performance. Composites developed by compression molding technique were characterized for their mechanical and physical properties. The abrasive wear performance of the composites was evaluated by abrading 10 mm × 10 mm × 10 mm sample against silicon carbide (SiC) paper under various loads and two grades of abrasive papers. The fabric reinforcement enhanced the abrasive wear resistance of PES significantly (approximately 1.35–9.46 times depending on the operating conditions). It was observed that 83% fabric composite showed the highest resistance to abrasive wear and impact along with the best tensile strength and elongation properties. Its flexural strength and ILSS values, however, were the lowest. Sixty-four percent fabric composite, on the other hand, showed an exactly reverse trend among the three composites. Among the three orientations, fibres in normal and parallel (N–P) and normal and anti-parallel (N–AP) direction with respect to sliding plane proved to impart maximum wear resistance. N–P was best for light loads while N–AP was best for high loading conditions. Orientation parallel and anti-parallel (P–AP) was least beneficial in this respect. Moreover, the extent of improvement very much depended on the operating parameters such as grit size and load. Benefits endowed due to reinforcement were higher at less coarse grade paper. With increase in load, however, wear rate of composites with N–P orientation increased and for other two orientations it decreased. Thus, for severe operating conditions, N–AP orientation proved to be most beneficial. SEM studies proved supporting for understanding the influence of orientation on wear performance.     

Wear properties of Saffil/Al,Saffil/Al2O3/Al and Saffil/SiC/Al hybrid metal matrix composites

The purpose of this study is to investigate the wear properties of Saffil/Al, Saffil/Al₂O₃/Al and Saffil/SiC/Al hybrid metal matrix composites (MMCs) fabricated by squeeze casting method. Wear tests were done on a pin-on-disk friction and wear tester under both dry and lubricated conditions. The wear properties of the three composites were evaluated in many respects. The effects of Saffil fibers, Al₂O₃ particles and SiC particles on the wear behavior of the composites were elucidated. Wear mechanisms were analyzed by observing the worn surfaces of the composites. The variation of coefficient of friction (COF) during the wear process was recorded by using a computer. Under dry sliding condition, Saffil/SiC/Al showed the best wear resistance under high temperature and high load, while the wear resistances of Saffil/Al and Saffil/Al₂O₃/Al were very similar. Under dry sliding condition, the dominant wear mechanism was abrasive wear under mild load and room temperature, and the dominant wear mechanism changed to adhesive wear as load or temperature increased. Molten wear occurred at high temperature. Compared with the dry sliding condition, all three composites showed excellent wear resistance when lubricated by liquid paraffin. Under lubricated condition, Saffil/Al showed the best wear resistance among them, and its COF value was the smallest. The dominant wear mechanism of the composites under lubricated condition was microploughing, but microcracking also occurred to them to different extents.     

Dry three-body abrasive wear behavior of WC reinforced iron matrix surface composites produced by V-EPC infiltration casting process

This paper fabricated tungsten carbide (WC) particles reinforced iron matrix surface composites on gray cast iron substrate using vacuum evaporative pattern casting (V-EPC) infiltration process, investigated dry three-body abrasive wear resistance of the composites containing different volume fractions of WC particles, comparing with a high chromium cast iron. The fabricated composites contained WC particles of 5, 10, 19, 27, 36, and 52 vol.%, respectively. The results in abrasive wear tests showed that, with the increase in the volume fraction of WC particles, the wear resistance of the composites first increased until reached the maximum when the volume fraction of WC was 27%, then decreased, and was 1.5–5.2 times higher than that of the high chromium cast iron. The changes of the wear resistance of the composites with the volume fraction of WC particles and the mode of material removal in dry three-body abrasive wear condition were analyzed.