Sliding Wear Response of an Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite: Effect of Solid Lubricant Particle Size

The present work investigates the partial lubricated sliding wear behavior of 10 wt% SiC reinforced aluminum composites produced by Vortex method with the help of a pin on disc wear testing machine. The wear tests were conducted at the sliding velocities of 2.1 and 8.4 m/sec and at an applied load of 10 to 200 N in different lubricated environment [oil, oil+ 5wt %graphite (7-10 μm), and oil+ 5wt % graphite (100 μm)]. The influence of changing graphite particle size in the oil lubricant towards controlling the wear behavior of the samples has been studied. The (Aluminium-based) matrix alloy was also characterized under identical conditions to examine the influence of the dispersoid (SiC) phase on the wear behavior. The parameters studied are wear rate, frictional heating and friction coefficient. Results showed a large improvement in wear resistance of the Aluminium-based alloy after reinforcement with SiC particles. The composite experienced a higher frictional heating and friction coefficient than the matrix alloy in all the cases. The wear rate and frictional heating increased with load and speed while friction coefficient was affected in an opposite manner. Test duration influenced the frictional heating and friction coefficient of the samples in a mixed manner.