Frictional characteristics of Al–SiC composite brake discs

The use of light materials such as aluminium matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide (SiC) in railway braking devices is considered. Four quarter‐scale discs were produced by the vortex method with two distinct matrices and a SiC reinforcement with two different shapes and rates. Continuous braking tests (120 s) were run with organic pads in a dry environment. The 390.0 matrix discs exhibited a higher wear resistance than one produced from a 514.0 matrix. The use of a spherical SiC, instead of an angular one, very markedly improved the wear resistance of the antagonist materials. During the braking tests, the wear fragments become oxidized and their presence in tribocontact increases friction and pad wear but decreases the disc wear. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

In situ formation of Al–Al3Ni composites on commercially pure aluminium by friction stir processing

Possibility of the formation of Al–Al₃Ni composite layers on commercial pure aluminium plates by friction stir processing (FSP) has been studied. It is believed that the hot working nature of FSP can effectively promote the exothermic reaction between Al and added Ni powder to produce Al₃Ni intermetallic compounds in the aluminium matrix. In this study, the effects of the rotational and traverse speed of the tool as well as the number of FSP passes on the in situ formation of Al₃Ni in aluminum matrix were examined. Besides, the microstructure and microhardness of the fabricated surface layers were also studied. The results showed that the ratio of tool rotational speed to traverse speed (ω/υ) is the main controlling parameter of the heat generated during FSP and hence the reaction between aluminium and nickel. Increasing the number of FSP passes also promoted the reaction between Ni and Al and improved the distribution of Al₃Ni compounds, too. The composite layer achieved by six passes of FSP showed the highest hardness, which was almost twice of that of the base metal.     

Experimental and theoretical analysis of friction stir welding of Al–Cu joints

This paper presents a study of friction stir welding of aluminium and copper using experimental work and theoretical modelling. The 5083-H116 aluminium alloy and pure copper were successfully friction-stir-welded by offsetting the pin to the aluminium side and controlling the FSW parameters. A theoretical analysis is presented along with key findings. The process temperatures are predicted analytically using the inverse heat transfer method and correlated with experimental measurements. The temperature distribution in the immediate surroundings of the weld zone is investigated together with the microstructures and mechanical properties of the joint. This was supported by a finite element analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics. In this study, two rotational speeds were used and a range of offsets was applied to the pin. The microstructure analysis of the joints was undertaken. This revealed some particles of Cu inclusion in the nugget zone. The energy dispersive spectroscopy showed a higher diffusion rate of aluminium towards the interface while copper maintained a straight base line.     

Adhesive wear of stir cast hypereutectic Al–Si–Mg alloy under reciprocating sliding conditions

This paper describes an attempt to enhance the wear properties of hypereutectic cast aluminium–silicon alloys produced by semi-solid metal (SSM) processing technique. The rheological experiments on SSM slurries were performed under continuous cooling condition from liquidus temperature. Wear characteristics of alloy under investigation were studied using pin on flat wear system over a range of normal load (10–40 N) at constant average sliding speed (0.2 m/s) against cast iron and stainless steel counter surface. Stir cast alloy showed lesser weight loss compared to conventional cast alloy. Stir cast and conventional cast alloys showed higher weight loss against the stainless steel as compared to that against cast iron counter surface. Optical microscopy of the conventional cast and stir cast hypereutectic alloy has shown that stir casting causes refinement of primary silicon particles and modification of eutectic silicon compared to conventional cast alloy. The scanning electron microscopy of wear surfaces was carried out to investigate the mode of wear.     

Study of ultrasonic vibrations’ effect on friction stir welding

In this paper, effect of ultrasonic vibrations on friction stir welding (FSW) is studied. Ultrasonic vibrations were employed on the tool in pin direction (perpendicular to the welding direction). To do this study, a vibration tool was designed by Abaqus software in a way to have a longitudinal frequency about 20 kHz and was then manufactured and assembled with an ultrasonic transducer and was controlled using an ultrasonic generator to oscillate ultrasonically with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 10 μm. After preparation of experimental setup, some experiments were performed on AA6061-T6 as a work material, and the effect of ultrasonic vibrations on force, temperature, tensile strength, and hardness was investigated in FSW. Based on the achieved results, ultrasonic vibrations can decrease force and increase temperature in FSW.     

Effect of sintering temperature and time intervals on workability behaviour of Al–SiC matrix P/M composite

The investigation on the effect of sintering temperature and time intervals on workability behaviour of Al–SiC powder metallurgy composites during cold upsetting was attempted in the present work. Three levels of sintering temperature and time have been considered to evaluate their effect on workability behaviour. The amount of SiC reinforcement content has been varied as 0%, 10% and 20%. The experimental results were analyzed for workability under triaxial stress state condition as a function of the relative density. The Formability Stress Index (β_σ), the Formability Strain Index (β_ε), stress ratio parameters namely σ_θ/σ_eff and σ_z/σ_m were obtained for all the cases. As a result, the exhibited tremendous variations in the various parameters for different sintering temperatures and time intervals were studied and reported.     

Application of response surface method on machining of Al–SiC nano-composites

The newly fabricated metal matrix nano-composite (MMNC) of Al 7075 reinforced with 1.5 wt% SiC nano-particles was prepared by a novel ultrasonic cavitation method. The high resolution scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and field emission scanning electron micrograph (FESEM) shows uniform distribution and good dispersion of the SiC nanoparticles within the aluminum metal matrix. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) was employed to machine MMNC with copper electrode by adopting face centered central composite design of response surface methodology. Analysis of variance was applied to investigate the influence of process parameters and their interactions. Further a mathematical model has been formulated in order to estimate the machining characteristics. It has been observed that pulse current was found to be the most important factor affecting all the three output parameters such as material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR) and surface roughness (SR). The optimum parameter of combination setting has been identified for the MMNC are voltage 50.00 V, pulse current 8.00 A, Pulse on time 8.00 μs and pulse off time 9.00 μs. Finally the parameters were optimized for maximizing MRR, minimizing EWR and SR using desirability function approach.     

Calibration of dynamic tool–workpiece interface temperature measurement during friction stir welding

The objective of this work is to accurately measure the transient temperatures at the tool–workpiece interface during friction stir welding (FSW) using thermocouples that are embedded in the tool. Temperature sensors embedded in the friction stir (FS) tool provide a non-consumable localized temperature measurement capability that is crucial for process research, development, and control. A modification of the ASTM E-1461 standard for measuring thermal diffusivity with pulses of heat flux is proposed for calibrating the transient response of temperature sensors located near the surface of the FS tool. These tests enable the calculation of each sensor’s time constant, which are used in one-dimensional analytical models of the dynamic response to calculate the true interface temperature. Time constants between 21 and 43 ms are measured for 0.25-mm-diameter, sheathed thermocouples located at the FS tool surface.     

Analysis of dry sliding friction and wear behaviour of AA6351–SiC–B4C composites using grey relational analysis

Abstract

This paper describes the multifactor based experiments that are applied to investigate the dry sliding wear system of aluminium matrix alloy (AA6351) with 5 wt-% silicon carbide (SiC), 5 wt-% and 10 wt-% of boron carbide (B₄C) reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs). Stir casting route was adopted to prepare the composites and the tribological experiments were carried out on pin-on-disc type wear machine. The effects of parameters like applied load, sliding velocity, wt-% of B₄C on the dry sliding wear and frictional coefficient of aluminium MMCs using grey relational analysis (GRA) are reported. The orthogonal array with L9 layout and analysis of variance were used to investigate the influence of the parameters. It is observed that the dry sliding friction and wear behaviour of the composites are influenced by the applied load, sliding velocity and wt-% of B₄C with a contribution of 60·82%, 21·72% and 14·28% respectively. The optimal design parameters were found by grey relational grade and a good agreement was observed for 95% level of confidence.     

The influence of friction and wear on the generation of surface microprofile of steel–sintered friction powder based on copper in the course of operation in lubricated medium

The development of new compositions of sintered friction powders based on copper that operate in lubricated states should be based on deep knowledge of peculiar features of break-in and wear mechanisms of both counterbody and friction material. The obtained data have enabled the determination of the existence of the transferred bronze layer of friction material, the peculiarities of the generation of the surface microprofile of the counterbody during operation, these data can be useful upon assessing the thermal loading of the friction zone.     

Effects of tool–workpiece interface temperature on weld quality and quality improvements through temperature control in friction stir welding

A real-time wireless temperature measurement system has been developed and successfully implemented for closed-loop control of tool shoulder–workpiece interface temperature. The system employs two thermocouples in through holes and measures the shoulder and pin interface temperatures with an angular resolution as small as 10°. Both temperatures correlate with weld quality (mechanical testing and weld cross sections), e.g., all welds in 4.76-mm-thick 6061-T6 with an average shoulder interface temperature below 520 °C and an average pin interface temperature below 460 °C fail in the weld zone instead of the heat-affected zone, have unacceptable tensile strengths and in some cases voids. Similarly, welds with shoulder temperatures above the solidus temperature result in a degradation of the weld quality. It was found that a shoulder interface temperature of 533 °C results in the highest weld quality; hence, this temperature should be used as the setpoint temperature in the control system with a constant travel speed of 400 mm/min. The temperature measurement strategy was shown to be able to indicate welds with insufficient shoulder–workpiece contact, thus potentially identifying and preventing welds with detrimental weld quality due to lack of penetration. It was shown that backing plates of different thermal diffusivity change the heat flow out of the weld zone, hence weld temperature, and caused a measurable impact on the weld strength. By changing other process parameters, e.g., through a temperature control system, weld quality can be maintained in the presence of such changing thermal boundary conditions.     

Research on swing friction lubrication mechanisms and the fluid load support characteristics of PVA–HA composite hydrogel

Hydrogel has been extensively studied for use as articular cartilage. This study aims to investigate fluid load support mechanism of polyvinyl alcohol–hydroxyapatite composite hydrogel. Finite element method is used to study swing friction lubrication mechanism and fluid load support. The friction coefficient increases with contact load and swing angle. The fluid flow has an important effect on the fluid load support, which decreases with an increase in contact load and swing angle. The fluid load support is very high (85%), and the hydrogel has low friction coefficient. It exhibits biphasic and self-generating lubrication mechanism.     

On the role of sliding load and heat input conditions in friction stir processing on tribology of aluminium alloy–alumina surface composites

ABSTRACT

Aluminium (AA5083)-alumina surface composites are prepared by friction stir processing in two conditions of heat input. The low heat (LH) input conditions is achieved at a rotational speed of 710?rpm and a traverse speed of 100?mm/min, and high heat (HH) input conditions are achieved at a rotational speed of 1400?rpm and a traverse speed of 40?mm/min. The tribological characteristics of aluminium alloy, friction stir processed (FSPed) alloy and FSPed surface composites against steel ball are studied at 5, 10 and 20?N load. While no significant influence is found on frictional behaviour, wear resistance of FSPed composites is superior to FSPed alloys. FSPed composites fabricated at HH input conditions exhibited improved wear resistance as compared to LH input condition. Adhesion and delamination are dominant wear mechanisms at 20?N. Debris particles are reduced in size and hydroxidated in sliding of surface composites.     

Tribological Behaviour of SiC Particle Reinforced Al–Si Alloy

The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of SiC reinforcement along with immiscible element addition in spray formed Al–Si base alloy. The investigation is done for four different compositions, i.e., Al–Si base alloy, Al–Si/SiC, Al–Si–5Sn/SiC and Al–Si–10Sn/SiC composite. The dry sliding wear properties of base alloy and composites were investigated against EN 31 steel at five different normal loads (14.7, 24.5, 34.3, 44.1 and 53.9 N). The tests were carried out in dry sliding conditions with a sliding speed of 1.6 ms⁻¹ over pin-on-disc tribometer. Each composition is tested at four different temperatures 50, 75, 100 and 150 °C. To determine the wear mechanism, the worn surfaces of the samples were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composites emerge to be better wear resistant material than base alloy especially at higher loads. The optimum wear reduction was obtained in Al–Si–10Sn/SiC composite at all the different normal loads and temperatures.     

Tribocorrosion behaviour of Ni–SiC nano-structured composite coatings obtained by electrodeposition

The combined corrosion-wear degradation of nano-structured Ni–SiC coatings in sliding contacts immersed in electrically conductive solutions is investigated in situ by electrochemical techniques (open-circuit potential measurements, E_OC, the potentiodynamic polarization measurements, PD, and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). The coating thickness was 50 μm, with an average volume of dispersed phases inside nickel of 20%. The samples were tested in a cell, containing the electrolyte and electrodes, and mounted on a pin-on-disk tribometer, with the working surface of the specimen facing upwards. Both continuous and intermittent friction tests were carried out. In the intermittent tests, friction was applied periodically: during each cycle, friction was first applied for 2 s at constant sliding speed under constant normal load and then stopped during a latency time of 20 s or 0.5 s. Without friction, the free potential reaches a passive value after immersion in the test solution. When friction force is applied the free potential is shutting down to active values. Under friction the measured current, I can be considered as the sum of two partial currents: one generated by the wear track areas, where the passive film is destroyed and the surface is active; the other one linked to the surface not subjected to friction and that remains in the passive state. A localised corrosion process when subjected to friction in 0.5 M K₂SO₄ was not observed on nano-structured Ni–SiC composite coatings. The mechanical destruction of the passive film occurs in the wear track by friction and subsequent restoration of the film (repassivation) when friction stops. The wear volume loss increases with sliding forces.     

Fabrication and testing of Al–SiCp composite poppet valve guides

Composite materials are replacing the materials used in various fields and are the candidate materials for future growth. Metal matrix composites are the class of composite materials finding vast applications in automotive, aircraft, defense, sports, and appliance industries. In the present work, Al–SiC_p composites with 5–30 wt.% of SiC particulates were fabricated using powder metallurgy as well as casting processes. Mechanical alloying of aluminum and SiC particles was done prior to compaction so as to enhance the properties of the fabricated powder metal components. A custom built sliding valve guide wear test rig was fabricated to simulate the valve stem/guide wear under cold start condition of an engine by reciprocation of a valve stem under different imposed loads, against a stationary poppet valve guide. The hardness and radial crushing load was measured for the Al–SiC_p composite poppet valve guides and were found better than the cast iron poppet valve guides presently used in engines. The wear test of the poppet valve guides was done using valve guide wear test rig, which revealed that the Al-20 wt.% SiC_p and Al-30 wt.% SiC_p composite poppet valve guides have higher wear resistance than the cast iron poppet valve guides. The hardness, radial crushing load, and wear resistance of Al–SiC_p composite poppet valve guides were found to increase with increase in weight percent of SiC_p. The microstructural analysis of the cast and PM Al–SiC_p composites was also done using scanning electron microscope. Finite element analysis of the Al–SiC_p composite poppet valve guide was also done using Ansys software, which supports the successful implementation of the Al–SiC_p composite poppet valve guides for automobiles.     

Effects of speed sequence on friction properties of sintered Cu–SiO2

Abstract

The effects of the speed sequence and SiO₂ content of Cu–SiO₂, sintered by powder metallurgy method, on friction and wear properties have been investigated at fixed speeds. The results indicate that the sequence of speeds employed in the tests plays great roles in the friction and wear properties. When the tests are executed from a lower speed to a higher speed, friction coefficients decrease and oscillate dramatically as the speed goes up, resulting in a severe wear. On the contrary, as the speed starts from a higher value, the friction coefficients are stable and wear is small. These phenomena can be explained by states of third bodies formed in the friction. The third body formed at lower friction speeds is usually granular, which is responsible for the coefficient oscillations and larger wear loss. At higher speeds, the third body formed is rather dense, leading to stable friction coefficients and lower wear loss.