Effect of load and reciprocating velocity on the transition from mild to severe wear behavior of Al–Si–SiCp composites in reciprocating conditions

• Published in: Materials in engineering Vol. 31; no. 10; pp. 4951 - 4959
• Main Authors: Rajeev, V.R., Dwivedi, D.K., Jain, S.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2010
• Subjects: Aluminum; Aluminum base alloys; Metallurgy; Plastic deformation; Reciprocating; Scanning electron microscopy; Silicon carbide; Wear; Wear mechanisms; Wear tests
• ISSN: 0261-3069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2010.05.010

The effect of normal load and reciprocating velocity on transition from mild to severe wear of A319/15%SiCp, A336/15%SiCp, and A390/15%SiCp composites is reported. Composites were produced using the liquid metal metallurgy route. Adhesive wear behaviour of the composites was studied under dry reciprocating conditions using an indigenously developed reciprocating friction wear test rig conforming to ASTM Standard G133-05. Increase in normal load increased wear rate and, depending upon the reciprocating velocity and type of composites, mode of wear changed from mild oxidative to severe metallic wear. The load corresponding to the transition from mild to severe wear (transition load) decreased with increasing reciprocating velocity and reduction in silicon content in the alloys used for the development of Al-Si-SiCp composites. At 1 m/s reciprocating velocity, the transition loads for A319/15%SiCp, A336/15%SiCp and A390/15%SiCp composites were in the range 60-90 N, 60-105 N and 60-120 N respectively. SEM studies of the wear surface and wear debris were conducted to analyse the mode of wear and operating wear mechanism. Severe wear was characterised by massive plastic deformation and gross material removal, while the mild wear was associated with delamination and scoring as main wear mechanisms responsible for material loss. Wear mechanism maps for different Al-(6-18)%Si-15%SiCp composites were proposed in reciprocating contacts.