Fretting wear behaviour of hypereutectic P/M Al–Si in oil environment

The fretting wear behaviour of forged hypereutectic P/M Al–Si in contact with hardened steel and Cu–Sn–Pb bearing material is investigated. Fretting tests are performed with a view to the movement in the contact between the small end of the connecting rod and the piston pin in a car engine. Therefore, the tests are carried out under engine oil lubrication at temperatures up to 150°C. The behaviour of the Al alloy is compared to that of steel, the current connecting rod material. Some tests under non-lubricated conditions are also performed. The correlation between the friction coefficient, the wear volume and the microscopic wear mechanisms is discussed. After the running-in wear, a stable wear condition is reached for the Al–Si/steel contact.