Effect of matrix alloy and influence of SiC particle on the sliding wear characteristics of aluminium alloy composites

This article presents an effect of matrix alloy and influence of SiC particle on the sliding wear characteristics of high strength aluminium alloys AA7010, AA7009 and AA2024, composites was examined under varying applied pressure and a fixed sliding speed of 3.35 m/s. The results revealed that the wear resistance of the composite was noted to be significantly higher than that of the alloy and is suppressed further due to addition of SiC particles. The overall observation among the matrix alloys, AA7010 alloy shows maximum wear resistance than that of the other, and can withstand the seizure pressure up to 2.6 MPa. The wear mechanism was studied through worn surfaces and microscopic examination of the developed wear tracks. The wear mechanism strongly dictated by the formation and stability of oxide layer, mechanically mixed layer (MML) and subsurface deformation and cracking. The overall results indicate that the high strength aluminium alloys and composite could be considered as an excellent material where high strength and wear resistance components are prime importance especially designing for structural applications in aerospace and general engineering sectors.     

Quantitative evaluation on wear resistance of aluminum alloy composites densely packed with SiC particles

Abstract

Wear behaviour was investigated for high volume fraction SiC particulate reinforced aluminum alloy composites by considering the shear stress acting on the specimen and the wear debris formed during sliding wear. The SEM morphology of worn subsurfaces showed that particles are fragmented, mechanically mixed, and then aligned in the wear direction caused by normal and tangential stresses. Wear debris were initially tiny lumps but finally delaminated due to the shear stress. A theoretical wear model was proposed for plastically deformable specimens worn by a rigid non-deformable steel ring by analysing the interspacing of SiC particles and the tangential stress applied to the worn surface. Predictions of this theoretical wear model were in good agreement with experimental results.     

Effect of the SiC particle size on the dry sliding wear behavior of SiC and SiC–Gr-reinforced Al6061 composites

The effect of size of silicon carbide particles on the dry sliding wear properties of composites with three different sized SiC particles (19, 93, and 146 μm) has been studied. Wear behavior of Al6061/10 vol% SiC and Al6061/10 vol% SiC/5 vol% graphite composites processed by in situ powder metallurgy technique has been investigated using a pin-on-disk wear tester. The debris and wear surfaces of samples were identified using SEM. It was found that the porosity content and hardness of Al/10SiC composites decreased by 5 vol% graphite addition. The increased SiC particle size reduced the porosity, hardness, volume loss, and coefficient of friction of both types of composites. Moreover, the hybrid composites exhibited lower coefficient of friction and wear rates. The wear mechanism changed from mostly adhesive and micro-cutting in the Al/10SiC composite containing fine SiC particles to the prominently abrasive and delamination wear by increasing of SiC particle size. While the main wear mechanism for the unreinforced alloy was adhesive wear, all the hybrid composites were worn mainly by abrasion and delamination mechanisms.     

Wear behaviour of an Al–12% Si alloy reinforced with a low volume fraction of SiC particles

Aluminium–silicon alloys reinforced with low volume fractions of SiC particles were prepared by the compocasting process. The wear behaviour of the unreinforced Al–12Si alloy and metal-matrix composites (MMCs) was investigated by using a block-on-ring test at room temperature under dry conditions. The results showed that the addition of a low volume fraction of SiC particles (2–8 vol%) is a very effective way of increasing the wear resistance of the matrix alloy. Metallographic examinations revealed that the wear zone of the Al–12Si alloy consists of both hardened and deformation layers. The depth of the hardened layer depended on the applied load and was in the vicinity of 10–50 μm. The formation of the hardened layer was related to the alignment and redistribution of fragmented eutectic phase to the surface region during sliding wear. Furthermore, the delamination of debris from the hardened layer was responsible for a higher wear loss observed in the Al–12Si alloy. The thickness of the hardened layer formed on the MMC specimens was reduced considerably by the incorporation of fragmented SiC particles. This layer exhibited higher hardness and wear resistance than that developed in the unreinforced alloy.     

Effect of dual size particle distribution on processing and properties of AZ91D/SiCp magnesium matrix composites prepared by rotation cylinder method

Abstract

Spiral fluidity and hardness and wear experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of dual size (5 and 50 μ m) SiC particle distributions on the fluidity, hardness, and wear resistance of Mg - 9.1Al - 0.7Zn (wt-%) alloy containing 10 vol.-% SiC particles, with the aim of tailoring properties to specific applications. Although a decrease in the fluidity of the composites is observed, as expected, in the presence of SiC particles, the fluidity of the composites with dual size particle distributions was in some instances better than that of composites containing the same volume fraction of single size particles. The hardness and wear resistance of the composites with dual size distributions were weakly dependent on the mixing ratio. In terms of complete molten processing and tailored mechanical properties, the optimum mixing ratio of 5 and 50 μm particles appears to be 1:2.     

Wear characteristics of spray formed Al-alloys and their composites

In the present investigation, different Al based alloys such as Al–Si–Pb, Al–Si, Al–Si–Fe and 2014Al + SiC composites have been produced by spray forming process. The microstructural features of monolithic alloys and composite materials have been examined and their wear characteristics have been evaluated at different loads and sliding velocities. The microstructural features invariably showed a significant refinement of the primary phases and also modification of secondary phases in Al-alloys. The Pb particles in Al–Si–Pb alloy were observed to be uniformly distributed in the matrix phase besides decorating the grain boundaries. The spray formed composites showed uniform distribution of SiC particles in the matrix. It was observed that wear resistance of Al–Si alloy increases with increase in Pb content; however, there is not much improvement after addition of Pb more than 20%. The coefficient of friction reduced to 0.2 for the alloy containing 20%Pb. A sliding velocity of 1 ms⁻¹ was observed to be optimum for high wear resistance of these materials. Alloying elements such as Fe and Cu in Al–Si alloy lead to improved wear resistance compared to that of the base alloy. The addition of SiC in 2014Al alloy gave rise to considerable improvement in wear resistance but primarily in the low pressure regime. The wear rate seemed to decrease with increase in sliding velocity. The wear response of the materials has been discussed in light of their microstructural features and topographical observation of worn surfaces.     

不同类型颗粒混合增强铁基复合材料的磨损性能

采用电流直加热动态热压烧结工艺制备陶瓷颗粒增强铁基复合材料,研究高体积分数(25%,30%,35%)下,单一类型颗粒(SiC,TiC,TiN)及混合类型颗粒(TiC+TiN,SiC+TiN,SiC+TiC)作为增强相对铁基复合材料磨损性能的影响。结果表明:单一类型粒子强化时,TiNP/Fe复合材料的耐磨性最好,TiCP/Fe次之,SiCp/Fe最差。混合粒子作为增强体时,(TiC+TiN)P/Fe复合材料磨损性能显著优于其对应的单一颗粒增强材料;其中粒子含量为30%时,(TiC+TiN)P/Fe复合材料磨损性能提高最大,其磨损量比TiCP/Fe降低了51.9%,比TiNp/Fe复合材料降低了44.1%,体现出可贵的混合增强价值。(SiC+TiC)_P/Fe和(SiC+TiN)P/Fe复合材料的磨损性能分别处于对应的两个单一颗粒增强材料之间。磨损表面观察表明,耐磨性好的(TiC+TiN)P/Fe复合材料的磨损机理为磨粒磨损,而(SiC+TiC)_P/Fe和(SiC+TiN)P/Fe复合材料除磨粒磨损外还存在明显的疲劳磨损现象。     

Influence of the hard coated B4C particulates on wear resistance of Al–Cu alloys

In the present study, sliding wear tests were carried out on different sizes and volume fractions of coated B₄C particles reinforced 2024 aluminum alloy composites fabricated by a squeeze casting method. Microstructural examination showed that the B₄C distributions were generally homogeneous in the matrix while some particle clusterings were observed at relatively high particle containing composites. As compared to the 2024 Al matrix alloy, the hardness of the composites was found to be greater. It is observed that the wear resistance of the composites was significantly higher than that of the unreinforced aluminum alloy, and increased with increasing B₄C particles content and size. The hard B₄C particles act as a protrusion over the matrix, carries a major portion of the applied load and protect the abrasives from penetration into the specimen surface. Combination of rough and smooth regions is distinguished on the worn surface of the composites. The depth and number of grooves in composites decreased with increasing volume fraction of B₄C particles, and the worn surfaces of composites were relatively smooth.     

Tribological properties of powder metallurgy – Processed aluminium self lubricating hybrid composites with SiC additions

In this experimental study, aluminium (Al)-based graphite (Gr) and silicon carbide (SiC) particle-reinforced, self-lubricating hybrid composite materials were manufactured by powder metallurgy. The tribological and mechanical properties of these composite materials were investigated under dry sliding conditions. The results of the tests revealed that the SiC-reinforced hybrid composites exhibited a lower wear loss compared to the unreinforced alloy and Al–Gr composites. It was found that with an increase in the SiC content, the wear resistance increased monotonically with hardness. The hybridisation of the two reinforcements also improved the wear resistance of the composites, especially under high sliding speeds. Additionally, the wear loss of the hybrid composites decreased with increasing applied load and sliding distance, and a low friction coefficient and low wear loss were achieved at high sliding speeds. The composite with 5 wt.% Gr and 20 wt.% SiC showed the greatest improvement in tribological performance. The wear mechanism was studied through worn surface and wear debris analysis as well as microscopic examination of the wear tracks. This study revealed that the addition of both a hard reinforcement (e.g., SiC) and soft reinforcement (e.g., graphite) significantly improves the wear resistance of aluminium composites. On the whole, these results indicate that the hybrid aluminium composites can be considered as an outstanding material where high strength and wear-resistant components are of major importance, predominantly in the aerospace and automotive engineering sectors.     

Investigation of the abrasive wear behaviour of ZA-27 alloy and CuSn10 bronze

In this study, abrasive wear behaviours of ZA-27 alloy and CuSn10 bronze were investigated using a purpose-built wear tester. The ZA-27 alloy was produced by permanent mould casting. The abrasive SiC particles having 63 μm grit size was added to the lubricant oil. The wear rate and friction coefficient of alloys were determined at the different test conditions such as sliding distance, applied load, linear velocity and percentage SiC weight content. The wear surfaces of alloys were examined using SEM and EDS analysis. The results showed that the wear rate of alloys decreased with the increasing of applied load and increased with the increasing linear velocity and abrasive SiC content. It was found that the SiC particle fracture was an important mechanism determining the friction and the wear rate of alloys. CuSn10 bronze showed higher wear resistance than ZA-27 alloy under abrasive test conditions except at high linear velocities.     

Microstructural investigation on antifriction characteristics of self-lubricating copper hybrid composite

Abstract

Owing to good antifriction properties and high wear resistance, copper hybrid composites reinforced with hard ceramic particles and solid lubricant components are regarded as promising materials for applications in sliding electrical contacts. The present work investigates the antifriction mechanism of a (SiC+Gr)/Cu composite from a microstructural viewpoint, so as to assist the development and application of this material. A graphite rich tribolayer formed on the worn surface was responsible for good tribological properties of the composites. Testing results showed that nanoparticles of graphite were involved in a mechanically mixing process by adhering to both the other wear debris and the two contacting surfaces, thereby developing a solid lubricant tribolayer. The nanographite to nanographite contacting mode, formed between the composite and the counterface, significantly improved wear resistance and friction stability. The forming and failure process of the graphite rich tribolayer was studied. A mechanism has been developed based on the experimental results.     

Wear of ceramic particle-reinforced metal-matrix composites

Pin-on-disc dry sliding tests were carried out to study the wear mechanisms in a range of metal-matrix composites. 6061-aluminium alloys reinforced with 10 and 20 vol% SiC and Al₂O₃ particles were used as pin materials, and a mild steel disc was used as a counterface. A transition from mild wear to severe wear was found for the present composites; the wear rate increased by a factor of 10². The effects of the ceramic particles on the transition load and wear with varying normal pressure were thoroughly investigated. Three wear mechanisms were identified: abrasion in the running-in period, oxidation during steady wear at low load levels, and adhesion at high loads. A higher particle volume fraction raised the transition load but increased the wear rate in the abrasion and adhesion regimes. Increase of particle size was more effective than increase of volume fraction to prolong the transition from mild wear to adhesive wear. The reasons for different wear mechanisms were determined by analyses of the worn surfaces and wear debris.     

Dry sliding wear behavior of spray deposited AlCuMn alloy and AlCuMn/SiCp composite

The dry sliding wear behavior of spray-deposited Al-Cu-Mn alloy and its composite reinforced with 13 vol.% SiC particles have been studied in the applied load of 5–400 N (corresponding normal stress is 0.1–8 MPa). It showed that SiC particle-reinforced AlCuMn composite produced by spray deposition process exhibited an improved wear resistance at the entire applied load range in comparison to the monolithic alloy. However, this improvement was not significant in the overall load range. With increasing the applied load, the wear rate of the composite and the monolithic alloy exhibited four different regions, therefore the wear was dominated by different wear mechanism. The former three regions all belonged to mild wear. The transition from mild to severe wear occurred at the similar critical load for both the composite and the monolithic alloy. For both the composite and the monolithic alloy, with increasing applied load, the dominant wear mechanism exhibited successively: oxidative mechanism, delamination mechanism, subsurface-cracking-assisted adhesive mechanism and adhesive mechanism.     

Sliding wear behaviour of SiC particle reinforced 2024 aluminium alloy composites

Abstract

Sliding wear tests on SiC particle reinforced 2024 aluminium alloy composites fabricated by a powder metallurgy technique were carried out, and the effects of SiC particle content, size, and the wear load on the wear properties of the composites were systematically investigated. It was found that the wear resistance of the composites was about two orders of magnitude superior to that of the unreinforced matrix alloy, and increased with increasing SiC particle content and size. Under the conditions of sliding wear used, the effect of SiC particle size on the wear resistance was more significant than that of particle content.

MST/3161     

Effects of particle size and distribution on the mechanical properties of SiC reinforced Al-Cu alloy composites

This paper studied the combined effects of particle size and distribution on the mechanical properties of the SiC particle reinforced Al-Cu alloy composites. It has been shown that small ratio between matrix/reinforcement particle sizes resulted in more uniform distribution of the SiC particles in the matrix. The SiC particles distributed more uniformly in the matrix with increasing in mixing time. It has also been shown that homogenous distribution of the SiC particles resulted in higher yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation. Yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of the composite reinforced by 4.7 μm sized SiC particles are higher than those of composite reinforced by 77 μm sized SiC particles, while the elongation shows opposite trend with yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. Fracture surface observations showed that the dominant fracture mechanism of the composites with small SiC particle size (4.7 μm) is ductile fracture of the matrix, accompanied by the “pull-out” of the particles from the matrix, while the dominant fracture mechanism of the composites with large SiC particle size (77 μm) is ductile fracture of the matrix, accompanied by the SiC particle fracture.     

Effect of sliding distance on the wear and friction behavior of as cast and heat-treated Al–SiCp composites

The present investigation aims to evaluate the effect of sliding distance on the wear and friction behavior of as cast and heat-treated Al–SiCp composites using pin-on-disc wear testing machine, giving emphasis on the parameters such as wear rate and coefficient of friction as a function of sliding distance (0–5000 m) at different applied pressures of 0.2, 0.6, 1.0 and 1.4 MPa, and at a fixed sliding speed of 3.35 m/s. Characterizing the alloy and composites in terms of microstructure, X-ray diffraction analysis, microhardness and wear surface analysis. The results revealed that the heat-treated composite exhibited superior wear properties than the base alloy, while the coefficient of friction followed an opposite trend. Moreover, the wear rate of the composite is noted to be invariant to the sliding distance and increased with applied pressures. Microstructure of composite shows fairly uniform distribution of SiC particles in the metallic matrix. The hardness value of heat-treated composite increased 20–30% by addition of SiC particles to the alloy, intermetallic phases like Al₂Mg₃ and Al₂CuMg, etc., were obtained from X-ray analysis. The wear mechanism of the investigated materials was studied through worn surfaces examination of the developed wear tracks.     

Dry sliding wear behavior of cast SiC-reinforced Al MMCs

Dry sliding block-on-ring wear tests were performed on a squeeze cast A390 Al alloy, a high pressure die cast 20%SiC–Al MMC, and a newly developed as-cast 50%SiC–Al MMC. The testing conditions spanned the transition that control the mild to severe wear for all materials. The results show that the sliding wear resistance increases as SiC particle volume fraction increases. The critical transition temperature, at which wear rates transit from mild to severe, also increases with increasing SiC content. Examination of the wear surfaces, the subsurface characteristics, and the wear debris indicate that a hard ‘mechanically alloyed’ layer, high in SiC content, forms on the sliding surface of the 50%SiC composite. This layer prevents the surface adhesion wear mechanisms active in the A390 alloy, and it inhibits delamination wear mechanisms that control the mild wear of the 20%SiC composite. As a result, mild wear of the 50%SiC composite occurs by an oxidation process. In the 20%SiC material, severe wear occurs as a consequence of material removal by a flow-related extrusion-like process. In contrast, the high SiC content prevents plasticity in the 50%SiC composite, which eventually is susceptible to severe wear at very high temperatures (≈450 °C) due to a near-brittle cracking processes.     

Effect of sillimanite particle reinforcement on dry sliding wear behaviour of aluminium alloy composite

Abstract

The effect of sillimanite reinforcement on the dry sliding wear behaviour of aluminium silicon alloy (BS LM6) composite was investigated using a pin-on-disc sliding wear test machine. The composite specimens were prepared using the liquid metallurgy technique and 10 wt-% of sillimanite particles were incorporated in the matrix alloy. Sliding wear tests were conducted at applied pressures between 0.2 and 1.6 MPa and speeds of 1.89, 3.96 and 5.55 m s^-1. The matrix alloy was also prepared and tested under identical conditions in order to enable comparison. It was observed that the sillimanite reinforced composite exhibited a lower wear rate than the matrix alloy. Increase in applied load increased the wear rate while increase in speed exhibited the reverse effect. The seizure pressure of the composite was significantly higher than that of the matrix alloy. The temperature rise near the contacting surface and the coefficient of friction were less in the composite than in the matrix alloy. SEM micrographs of the worn surface and subsurface were used to predict the nature of the wear mechanism.     

三维网络SiC对铝合金干摩擦磨损性能的影响

用销-盘式高温摩擦磨损实验机研究了LF3铝合金及三维网络SiC(体积分数分别为10％、20％、30％)增强LF3铝基复合材料的干摩擦磨损性能，测量了复合材料及基体合金在室温和高温(25-300℃)条件下的摩擦系数和磨损率，用扫描电镜(SEM)观察其磨损表面，研究了三维网络SiC对铝合金磨损机制的影响．结果表明：复合材料的干摩擦磨损性能远优于基体合金(LF3)，而且随着温度的升高，复合材料的抗磨损性能明显提高．三维网络SiC在磨损表面形成硬的微凸体起承载作用，同时其独特的结构制约基体合金的塑性变形和高温软化，并保护在磨损表面形成的氧化膜．在相同实验条件下，复合材料的摩擦系数、磨损率随着增强体的体积分数的增加而降低．复合材料的摩擦系数在滑行过程中的稳定性明显高于基体合金．     

Microstructural alterations through heat treatment and its influence on wear response of a silicon containing zinc based alloy under different test conditions

Abstract

Observations pertaining to the influence of microstructural alterations brought about through heat treatment on the sliding wear behaviour of a zinc based alloy comprising of silicon have been analysed in this study. The effects of sliding conditions such as pressure and speed on the wear response of the alloy in as cast and heat treated conditions have also been investigated. The as cast alloy revealed dendritic structure consisting of primary α, eutectoid α + η, and ? phase. Silicon was present in the alloy microstructure as discrete particles. Heat treatment caused breaking of the dendritic structure and more homogeneous distribution of various microconstituents without affecting the morphology and mode of distribution of the silicon particles. The heat treated alloy attained superior wear response as compared with the as cast one especially under more severe wear conditions. Wear rate versus pressure plots revealed two slopes wherein the slope was low at low pressures and increased considerably beyond a critical pressure. The critical pressure decreased with speed while it was more for the heat treated alloy. The wear behaviour of the specimens deteriorated with pressure and speed. High wear rates were supplemented with severe surface/subsurface damage and coarse debris formation and vice versa. Changing microstructural features of the regions at different depths below the wear surface were attributed to the changing degree of deformation they experienced during wear. The wear behaviour of the specimens has been explained in terms of specific characteristics of various phases such as lubricating and load carrying capability, thermal stability and cracking tendency. Typical characteristics of worn surfaces/subsurface regions and debris further supplemented the specific wear behaviour of the alloy in different test/material conditions.