Microstructural and Tribological Characteristics of Al–10Cu–Fe alloy Produced by Vertical Centrifugal Casting process

In this study, an attempt has been made to produce Al–10Cu–Fe alloy by vertical centrifugal casting at speeds ranging from 800 to 2850 rpm. The microstructural features, mechanical and wear properties have been investigated. The microstructure of Al–10Cu–Fe alloy consists of equiaxed grain morphology of the primary α-phase with eutectic phases in the interdendritic regions. It has been observed that there is a variation in the grain size from the inner surface of the casting to its outer surface. The speed also has a strong influence on the grain size and subsequent mechanical properties of the alloy. The wear properties of the alloy have been evaluated at a constant sliding velocity of 1 m/s for a range of applied load and sliding distance. The variations in the wear behavior are attributed to the size and solidification morphology of the castings.     

Investigation on Mechanical and Adhesive Wear Behavior of Centrifugally Cast Functionally Graded Copper/SiC Metal Matrix Composite

The objective of this work is to fabricate functionally graded unreinforced copper alloy (Cu–10Sn) and a Cu–10Sn/SiC composite (Ø_out100 × Ø_in70 × 100 mm) by horizontal centrifugal casting process and to investigate its mechanical and tribological properties. The microstructure and hardness was analysed along the radial direction of the castings; tensile test was conducted at both inner and outer zones. Microstructural evaluation of composite indicated that the reinforcement particles formed a gradient structure across the radial direction and maximum reinforcement concentration was found at the inner periphery. Hence maximum hardness (205 HV) was observed at this surface. Tensile test results showed that, the tensile strength at inner zone of composite was observed to be higher (248 MPa) compared to that of the outer zone and unreinforced alloy. As mechanical properties showed better results at inner periphery, dry sliding wear experiments were carried out on the inner periphery of composite using pin-on-disc tribometer. Process parameters such as load (10–30 N), sliding distance (500–1500 m) and sliding velocity (1–3 m/s) were analyzed by Taguchi L₂₇ orthogonal array. The influence of parameters on wear rate was analyzed by signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance. Analysis results revealed that load (54%) had the highest effect on wear rate followed by sliding distance (18.2%) and sliding velocity (3.7%). The wear rate of composite increased with load and sliding distance, but decreased with sliding velocity. Regression equation was developed and was validated by confirmatory experiment. Worn surface of composite was observed using scanning electron microscopy and transition of wear was observed at all extreme conditions.     

Experimental Analysis on Three Body Abrasive Wear Behaviour of Stir Cast Al LM 25/TiC Metal Matrix Composite

In this paper, the abrasive wear behavior of Al LM 25/10 wt% TiC metal matrix composite has been studied experimentally. The composite specimens were fabricated using stir casting technique. Microstructural evaluation revealed uniform distribution of reinforcement particles throughout the matrix. Abrasive wear experiments were designed for different values of load, speed and time through response surface methodology and were performed using three body abrasion tester. Surface plots for wear rate against all combinations of parameters revealed that wear rate increased with increasing load and time, but decreased with increasing speed. The generated regression equation established proper relation between parameters and wear rate, confirming the accuracy of the developed model. The results of optimization of process parameters revealed that a minimum wear rate of 0.00104 mm³/Nm was obtained at 27 N, 139 rpm and 3 min. Scanning electron microscope analysis results substantiated that wear rate was comparatively more at higher loads.     

Investigation of Production and Abrasive Wear Behavior of Functionally Graded TiB 2 /Al and TiB 2 /Al–4Cu Composites

In this study, it is aimed to investigate the production and abrasive wear properties of functionally graded TiB2/Al and TiB2/Al–4Cu composites. Using in situ technique, titanium di-boride (TiB2) particles are being spontaneously formed in liquid matrix, resulting in a “Al(l) + TiB2(S)” semisolid at 900 °C. The semisolid solidifies under a centrifugal force at 1500 rpm rotation speed in a steel mold to produce functionally graded composites. The properties of composites such as density, abrasive wear, hardness and microstructure were examined by dividing into four zones from the outside to the inside of the composite. Volume loss of composites were examined by using L16(4124) orthogonal design, considering some factors such as matrix type of composites, region of composites, abrasive particle size, sliding speed and sliding load according to Taguchi method. The results showed that both TiB2/Al and TiB2/Al–Cu composites had two regions: the TiB2-reinforced and non-reinforced regions. It was determined that the volume loss increased with increasing load, speed and abrasive particle size and decreased with increasing TiB2 particles reinforcement ratio.     

离心铸造自生初晶Si局部增强铝基复合材料活塞的组织与性能

离心铸造过共晶Al-18Si-4Mg合金,获得了自生初晶Si颗粒局部增强铝基复合材料活塞毛坯。检测了复合材料活塞的组织、硬度及耐磨性的分布规律。结果表明,在离心力的作用下,初晶Si颗粒偏聚于活塞的顶部和环槽区,而裙部为共晶组织;增强层具有较高的硬度和良好的耐磨性。     

SiCp／AL复合材料盘状件离心铸造技术研究

用搅拌法制备SiCp／Al复合材料熔体,采用离心铸造制备了增强颗粒具有连续梯度变化的盘状零件,用合理的工艺增加了颗粒的湿润性,得到颗粒分布均匀的复合材料熔液;通过改变离心转速,获得所需要的颗粒梯度分布;颗粒和基体界面结合良好;随着颗粒体积分数的增加,试样的硬度也相应的增加。     

Mechanical and Wear Properties of Al–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Metal Matrix Composites Fabricated by the Combined Effect of Stir and Squeeze Casting Method

The effects of nano particles on double shear strength and tribological properties of A356 alloy reinforced with Al₂O₃ nano particles of size 30 nm were investigated. The percentage inclusions of Al₂O₃ were varied from 0.5 to 1.5 wt%. The particles were added with stirring at 400 rpm and squeeze casting at 750 °C and pressure of 600 MPa in a squeeze casting machine. Comparison of the performance of as cast samples of A356/Al₂O₃ nano composite was conducted. The tribological properties of the samples were also investigated by pin-on-disk tests at 10, 30 and 50 N load, sliding speed 0.534 m/s and sliding distance 1100 m in dry condition. SEM images of microstructure analysis of the composite, Al₂O₃ (0.5 and 1 %) particles were well dispersed in the A356 alloy matrix. Partial agglomeration was observed in metal matrix composite with higher (1.5 %) Al₂O₃ particle contents. The nano dispersed composites containing 0.5 and 1 wt% of Al₂O₃ nano particles exhibited the highest double shear strength, lesser wear loss and coefficient of friction.     

Effect of Speed on the Tribological Behavior of Fe–Cu–C Based Self Lubricating Composite

In this work, the effect of different speeds on the tribological properties of sintered iron–copper–graphite (Fe–Cu–C) based self lubricating composites have been studied. Fe–Cu–C based self-lubricating composites were prepared by powder metallurgical compaction and sintering method. CaF₂, a solid lubricant in weight percentages of 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 was added to the base matrix consisting of Fe-2Cu-0.8C. The fabricated samples were tested for friction and wear at a constant load of 10 N and three different speeds of 0.5, 5 and 10 m/s. The surface properties of unworn and worn surfaces were analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscope. The friction and wear test of the composites exhibited decrease in coefficient of friction and increase in wear loss with the increase in speed. The results also revealed different trends in the friction behavior of the developed composites at low (0.5 m/s) and high speeds(5 and 10 m/s). However, at all test speeds, COF of samples with 3, 6 and 9 wt.% was less than the base matrix, and wear loss of 3 wt.% CaF₂ sample was the lowest at all speeds. Ploughing, adhesive and delamination wear were the dominant wear mechanism as revealed by SEM. Based upon the findings, the developed material could be used for low and high speed antifriction applications.     

Transient thermal analysis of solidification in a centrifugal casting for composite materials containing particle segregation

One-dimensional heat-transfer analysis during centrifugal casting of aluminum alloy and copper base metal matrix composites containing Al₂O₃, SiC_p, and graphite particles has been studied. The model of the particle segregation is calculated by varying the volume fraction during centrifugal casting, and a finite difference technique has been adopted. The results indicate that the thickness of the region in which dispersed particles are segregated due to the centrifugal force is strongly influenced by the speed of rotation of the mold, the solidification time, and the density difference between the base alloy and the reinforcement. In the case where the base alloy density is larger than that of the particles, the thickness of the particle-rich region near the inner periphery decreases with an increase in speed, thereby increasing the volume fraction of dispersion. The solidification time of the casting is also dependent upon the speed of rotation of the mold, and it decreases with an increase in speed. This study also indicates that the presence of particles increases the solidification time of the casting.     

Effect of stirring speed and time on microstructure and mechanical properties of Cast Al–Ti–Zr–B<Subscript>4</Subscript>C composite produced by stir casting

A new aluminum matrix composite reinforced with B₄C particles was manufactured using different stirring speeds and time. Stirring speeds of 600 and 700 rpm and stirring time of 5, 10, and 15 minutes were chosen for casting the aluminum-B₄C composites The effects of these parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the produced composites were analyzed using reflected light microscopy (RLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM and FESEM), image analysis, density measurement, and tensile test. Image analysis of the as-cast microstructures revealed that longer stirring speeds and time resulted in higher reinforcement content in the as-cast microstructure and consequently the sample under 700 rpm stirring speed with 15 min total stirring time had incorporated most of the added B₄C particles. Interface characterization performed by FESEM showed that the added Ti and Zr had accumulated at the interface. Tensile test results revealed that higher stirring speed and longer stirring time resulted in the reduction of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation for 700 rpm stirring speed. It was concluded that a 700 rpm stirring speed with 15 min stirring time could produce a composite sample with the incorporation of most of the added particles distributed almost uniformly throughout the microstructure.     

Wear Behavior at High Temperature of Dual-Particle Size Zircon-Sand-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Composite

The basic aim of the present investigation is to study the role of particle size for high-temperature application of ZrSiO₄-reinforced aluminum-based LM13 alloy composite as a bearing material. Composites containing 15 wt pct ZrSiO₄ particles of two different size ranges (20 to 32 and 106 to 125 μm) in different proportion were prepared by the stir casting route. The microhardness measured at different areas indicates good interfacial bonding. Transition in the wear mode for all composites occurs after temperature 423 K (150 °C). The overall wear properties of DPS-2 composite containing 12 pct fine and 3 pct coarse particles are better at all temperatures for both low and high loads.     

Mechanical Properties and Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Molybdenum Disulphide Reinforced Zinc–Aluminium Alloy Composites

ZA-27 alloy is a lightest alloy which offers excellent bearing and mechanical properties in automobile and industrial applications. In this study, the MoS₂ particles with 0.5, 1 and 1.5 (wt%) weight percentages were reinforced in ZA-27 alloy to form composites, which were fabricated by using ultrasonic assisted stir casting method. The ZA-27/MoS₂ composite specimens were examined for chemical composition with the aid of XRD technique and EDS. Microstructure analysis of the ZA-27/MoS₂ composites was studied using SEM. Tests were conducted for mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness on ZA-27/MoS₂ composites samples as per ASTM standards. Dry sliding wear behavior of the composites was tested at various operating conditions by using pin-on-disc apparatus. Microstructural images of the ZA-27 composites reveal that there is a uniform dispersion of the MoS₂ particles in the base material. From the results it is observed that the mechanical properties increases with ZA-27 reinforced with 0.5 wt% MoS₂ composite and further decreases with increase in the filler content. The enhanced wear resistance is observed in ZA-27 reinforced MoS₂ composites as compared to the unreinforced alloy. The wear rate of the ZA-27 composites decreases with the increase in filler content, further the worn surfaces as examined using SEM reveals the wear mechanism explaining the improved wear resistance of the particulate composites.     

Investigation of Mechanical Properties and Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Squeeze Cast LM6 Aluminium Alloy Reinforced with Copper Coated Short Steel Fibers

LM6 aluminium alloy with 2.5–10 wt% of copper coated short steel fiber reinforced composites were prepared using squeeze casting process. Microstructure and mechanical properties viz., hardness, tensile strength and ductility were investigated. Dry sliding wear behaviour was tested by considering sliding distance and load. Fracture surface and worn surface were examined using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Hardness of composites increased with increasing wt% of fiber. Tensile strength of composites increased up to 19% for 5 wt% fiber composites. Further addition of fibers decreased the tensile strength of composites. Ductility of the composites decreased with the addition of fibers into the matrix. Wt% of fibers significantly decreased the weight loss, coefficient of friction and wear rate. Also the cumulative weight loss decreased up to 57% for 10 wt% of composites compared to LM6 aluminium alloy. Fracture surface of composite tensile specimen showed dimple formation and fiber pullout. Worn surface of matrix showed long continuous grooves due to local delamination on the surface. However, worn surface of composites showed fine and smooth grooves due to ploughing rather than local delamination. Copper coated steel fiber reinforcement in LM6 aluminium alloy exhibited better mechanical properties and wear resistance compared to matrix.     

The Effect of Cu Powder During Friction Stir Welding on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of AA3003-H18

Friction stir welding (FSW) was used to join 3003-H18 non-heat-treatable aluminum alloy plates by adding copper powder. The copper powder was first added to the gap (0.1 and 0.2 mm) between two plates and then the FSW was performed. The specimens were joined at various rotational speeds of 800, 1000, and 1200 rpm at traveling speeds of 70 and 100 mm/min. The effects of rotational speed, second pass of FSW, and direction of second pass also were studied on copper particle distribution and formation of Al-Cu intermetallic compounds in the stir zone. The second pass of FSW was carried out in two ways; in line with the first pass direction (2F) and in the reverse direction of the first pass (FB). The microstructure, mechanical properties, and formation of intermetallic compounds type were investigated. In high copper powder compaction into the gap, large clusters were formed in the stir zone, while fine clusters and sound copper particles distribution were obtained in low powder compaction. The copper particle distribution and amount of Al-Cu intermetallic compounds were increased in the stir zone with increasing the rotational speed and applying the second pass. Al₂Cu and AlCu intermetallic phases were formed in the stir zone and consequently the hardness was significantly increased. The copper particles and in situ intermetallic compounds were symmetrically distributed in both advancing and retreating sides of weld zone after FB passes. Thus, the wider area was reinforced by the intermetallic compounds. Also, the tensile test specimens tend to fracture from the coarse copper aggregation at the low rotational speeds. At high rotational speeds, the fracture locations are placed in HAZ and TMAZ.     

Effects of Ni60WC25 powder content on the microstructure and wear properties of WC<Subscript>p</Subscript> reinforced surface metal matrix composites

The vacuum evaporative pattern casting technique was used to fabricate WC_p reinforced surface metal matrix composites in order to study the effects of Ni60WC25 powder content on the microstructure and wear properties of it. The results showed that the Ni60WC25 powders weakened the stability of WC particles and reacted with metal matrix at the interfacial regions in the composite. Diffusion kinetics and Gibbs free energy were calculated from the interactions between WC particles and matrix. It was found that adding 35 vol% Ni60WC25 alloy powder to composites led to the formation of Fe₃W₃C phases and complete dissolution of WC particles. The wear properties of composites with different Ni60WC25 alloy powder content were tested by the MLD-10 type tester. WC particles and Fe₃W₃C phases could protect the matrix and the matrix could support WC particles and Fe₃W₃C phases during wear processing.     

Fabrication and Testing of Slurry Pot Erosion Tester

Slurry pot erosion tester is a simple and inexpensive test rig which can provide a rapid ranking of the erosion resistance for different materials. The fabrication of modified slurry pot erosion tester has been reported here. The present slurry pot erosion tester facilitates to handle large cylindrical and flat samples. It also allows using slurry with variety in its volume, and concentration and particle size of sand. The much needed uniform distribution of solid particles along the vertical section of the slurry is controlled by the speed of the stirrer. In the present investigation, the effect of stirrer speed on the distribution of sand particles inside the slurry pot is studied for variety of slurry. The optimum stirrer speed for uniform distribution of 300 μ sand particles over the vertical cross section in slurry of 10% concentration and 20 l volume comes out to be 850 rpm. The erosion behaviour of mild steel was also studied to ensure suitability of the device for determination of erosive wear.     

Correlation of abrasive wear with microstructure and mechanical properties of pressure die-cast aluminum hard-particle composite

Aluminum hard particle composites were synthesized by the solidification processing technique and the composite melt was solidified using gravity and pressure die castings. An aluminum-silicon alloy (A 332.1) has been used as the matrix and silicon carbide particles (quantity: 10 wt pct, and size: 50 to 80 μm) have been used as reinforcement for synthesis of the composite. The microstructure of the pressure die cast composite is found to be finer than those of the gravity cast ones. Additionally, the distribution of SiC particles in the Al alloy matrix is found to be more uniform in the pressure die-cast composites compared to the gravity die-cast ones. The mechanical properties such as ultimate tensile strength, hardness, and ductility are observed to be superior in the case of pressure die-cast composites compared to the gravity-cast one. The two-body abrasive wear resistance of the Al-composite is also noted to be greater in the pressure die-cast composite than in the gravity-cast one. The effects of injection pressure on the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the pressure die-cast composites are examined. It is observed that the wear resistance (inverse of wear rate), hardness, and strength of the Al-SiC composites increase with the increase in injection pressure during pressure die casting. This may be due to the finer microstructure, the absence of casting defects, and the stronger interfacial bonding between the matrix and hard dispersoid in pressure die-cast composites. The wear rate of the alloys and composites is studied as a function of their hardness, strength, and Young’s modulus. It is noted that the wear rate is primarily controlled by hardness even though other mechanical properties influence the wear behavior of the materials to some extent. An attempt is made to establish an empirical relation to correlate the wear rate of material with the mechanical properties such as hardness, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation.     

Structure–Property Correlation of Al–SiC–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Composites: Influence of Processing Temperatures

This paper deals with the change in the mechanical behaviour of aluminium alloy 6061 with different weight percentage of Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic powders and change in processing temperature. The crucial properties of this aluminium alloy are relatively light in weight, better corrosion resistance, wear resistance and have low production cost. These properties make them pleasant for different applications such as aerospace, defense, automotive sectors. The purpose of designing Metal Matrix Composite is to figure the desired qualities of metals and ceramics. The fabrication of the MMC was done by stir casting process. The tensile test, hardness test and impact test were performed on these composite samples to study the mechanical behaviour. The result shows that there is a significant increase in tensile strength for the samples that are processed at the temperature of 750 °C with a higher weight fraction of SiC. Also, the samples made at 850 °C exhibit better hardness and impact strength with increased content of alumina. The internal microstructure of the composites was analyzed by scanning electron microscope.     

磁场对离心铸造高碳高速钢组织和性能的影响

 用自制的电磁离心铸造机,在离心机转速为960r/min,磁场强度分别为005、010、015、020T的条件下,制备了高碳高速钢,试验研究了不同磁场强度下的高碳高速钢的铸态组织和热处理后的组织与性能。结果表明：随着磁场强度的增加,高碳高速钢的铸态组织中角状、点状碳化物的分布逐渐趋于均匀、弥散,共晶碳化物呈现出先减少、变短,后增加、变长的趋势;热处理后组织中的共晶碳化物变细、变短,且在磁场强度为015T的试样中硬度、冲击韧度和耐磨性能达到最佳。     

Microstructure and Properties of Fe–Cr–B–Al Alloy After Heat Treatment

By means of optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometer, Rockwell and Vickers hardness tester, and wear tester, the microstructure and properties of Fe–10Cr–1B–4Al alloy quenched in different temperature has been studied. The results show that the microstructure of as-cast Fe–10Cr–1B–4Al are composed of pearlite, ferrite and the eutectic borocarbide which shows a network distribution along grain boundaries. The eutectic borocarbides are composed of M₇(C, B)₃, M₂(B, C) and M₂₃(C, B)₆. As the quenching temperature increases, the network structure of eutectic borocarbide breaks, but the type of eutectic borocarbide has no obvious change, and the matrix structure changes gradually from ferrite to pearlite. As the quenching temperature increases, the macro-hardness and the matrix micro-hardness of Fe–10Cr–1B–4Al alloy increases gradually. The macro-hardness and matrix micro-hardness of alloy reach the highest value of 45.7 HRC and 388.1 HV, respectively when the quenching temperature is 1150 °C. The hardness of alloy decreases slightly when the quenching temperature is too high. While quenching at 1150 °C, the alloy has the highest wear resistance and good comprehensive properties.