The sliding wear behavior of TiCp/AZ91 magnesium matrix composites

The AZ91 metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with 5, 10 and 15 wt.% TiC particulates are fabricated by TiCp–Al master alloy process combined with mechanical stirring. The effects of TiC particulate content, applied load and wearing time on the sliding wear behaviors of the composites were investigated using MM-200 wear testing apparatus. The results show that the wear resistance and friction coefficient of the composites increased and decreased with increase of the TiC particulate content, respectively. The wear volume loss and friction coefficient of the reinforced composites as well as the unreinforced AZ91 matrix alloy increased with increase of applied load or wearing time, but the increase rates of the reinforced composites in two performance is lower than those of the unreinforced AZ91 matrix alloy. Furthermore, the sliding wear behavior of the composites and the unreinforced AZ91 matrix alloy is characterized by ploughing, adhesion and oxidation abrasion.