Friction and wear behaviors of Al‐SiC‐B₄C composites produced by pressure infiltration method

Abstract

Purpose

The main goal of the present study is to investigate the friction and wear behaviors of aluminum matrix composites with an A360 matrix reinforced with SiC, B₄C and SiC/B₄C particles.

Design/methodology/approach

Un‐reinforced aluminum casting alloy, Al/SiC, Al/B₄C and Al/SiC/B₄C aluminum composites were prepared for the present study. Friction and wear tests of aluminum and its composites versus AISI316L stainless steel were carried out for dry sliding condition using by a pin‐on‐disc arrangement. Tests were realized at the sliding speed of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ms⁻¹ and under the loads of 10, 20 and 30 N. The microstructures of the present composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis.

Findings

The coefficient of friction of the composites is approximately 25‐30 percent lower than that of the un‐reinforced aluminum. The specific wear rate of the aluminum and its composites decreases with the increase in load and increases with the increment of sliding speed. Un‐reinforced aluminum has specific wear rate value of 1.73×10⁻¹³ which is the highest specific wear rate, while Al+17%SiC has specific wear rate value of 2.25×10⁻¹³ m² N⁻¹ which is the lowest specific wear rate among the tested materials. The average specific wear rates for Al+17%B₄C, Al+17%SiC/B₄C and Al+17%SiC composites are obtained about 49, 79 and 160 percent lower than aluminum wear rate under the same test conditions, respectively.

Originality/value

In the present study, composites were prepared by pressured infiltration technique. The employed composites are important in industry due to their higher wear resistance, light in weight and less thermal distortion comparing to conventional composites. Also, wear behavior of Al/B₄C, Al/SiC/B₄C and Al/SiC composites produced by pressured infiltration technique were not studied very much earlier, therefore more explanation about these composites were proposed.

Citation

Soy, U., Demir, A. and Findik, F. (2011), "Friction and wear behaviors of Al‐SiC‐B₄C composites produced by pressure infiltration method", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 63 No. 5, pp. 387-393. https://doi.org/10.1108/00368791111155002