Influence of Ti addition on wear properties of Al–Si eutectic alloys

The influence of Ti addition (up to 4 wt.%) on wear behavior of as-cast and heat-treated Al–12 wt.% Si eutectic alloy prepared by rapid cooling has been investigated in dry sliding against a steel counterface using a pin-on-disk apparatus. Worn surfaces and wear debris were examined and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The addition of Ti to the binary Al–Si alloy led to the precipitation of Al3Ti phase. Among the Ti-containing alloys, the increase in Ti content improved wear resistance of both as-cast and heat-treated alloys. However, these alloys displayed higher wear rates, thus lower wear resistance, compared with the Al–Si binary alloy.