Influence of melt treatments on sliding wear behavior of Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys

The microstructures and dry sliding wear behavior of Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys were studied after various melt treatments like grain refinement and modification. Results indicate that combined grain refined and modified Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys have microstructures consisting of uniformly distributed α-Al grains, eutectic Al– silicon and fine CuAl₂ particles in the interdendritic region. These alloys exhibited better wear resistance in the cast condition compared with the same alloy subjected to only grain refinement or modification. The improved wear resistances of Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys are related to the refinement of the aluminum grain size, uniform distribution of eutectic Al-silicon and fine CuAl₂ particles in the interdendritic region resulting from combined refinement and modification. This paper attempts to investigate the influence of the microstructural changes in the Al–7Si and Al–7Si–2.5Cu cast alloys by grain refinement, modification and combined action of both on the sliding wear behavior.