Wear properties of the Al-Gr composite homogenizedin the liquid produced by two methods: SPS and cold pressed and sintered in furnace

To produce aluminum matrix composite reinforced with graphite particles, mixing of pure aluminum and graphite powders by a new method called homogenization in liquid phase was performed. The graphite content was chosen from zero to 4.5 percent by weight of graphite in this study. Composite samples were produced using the dried powder by two ways: spark plasma sintering (SPS) and cold pressing and thereafter sintering in a vacuum furnace under different pressure, temperature and time. The microstructure was investigated by OM and SEM. Pin on disc rotating wear tests was conducted at room temperature and atmospheric environment. Finally, the wear mechanism were studied using OM and SEM. Experimental results showed that the optimum percentage of graphite was 3 wt.%, and with a uniform distribution of graphite particles in the matrix without agglomeration were observed. and the highest wear resistance were obtained. The presence of graphite as a reinforcing phase in the aluminum grains, increasing the wear resistance of the composite specimens compared to pure aluminum. Also, for the composites that fabricated using this mixing method, the wear resistance was much higher in comparison with other methods.