Effect of the applied load, sliding distance and oxidation on the dry sliding wear behaviour of Al-10Si/SiCp composites produced by vacuum infiltration technique

In this study, dry sliding wear behaviour of 10 and 30-vol% SiCp reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) were investigated. The composites used in the study were produced by a vacuum infiltration technique. In the infiltration process, an Al-10Si alloy was infiltrated into the compact of SiCp Al and Mg powders inside the steel tubes. Sliding wear tests were carried out under the normal loads of 12, 24 and 36 N at a sliding speed of 1.0 m s(-1) and sliding distances of 2.2, 3.6 and 5.0 kin against a steel disk using a pin-on-disc type apparatus. Worn test specimens were examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and wear mechanisms were determined. The volumetric wear rate increased with increasing sliding distance and increasing applied load. Oxidation of SiCp was been effective on the wear resistance of the composites. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.