Processing and Evaluation of Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of B4Cp Reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composites

The paper reports a study on wear properties of boron carbide reinforced Al metal matrix composite processed via stir casting route at lower temperature of 775 degrees C using halide salt K2TiF6 with ratio 0.05Ti/B4Cp to enhance better wettability. Fairly uniform distribution of B4Cp in the matrix with no segregation is seen and revealed from SEM microphotographs. Micro hardness of the alloy and the composite was determined using Vickers micro hardness tester and found to increase with increase in volume fraction of B4Cp addition to as cast 6061Al alloy. Pin-On-Disc tribometer was used to analyze wear behaviour of prepared composite and the alloy by applying normal load of 49.05m/s for a sliding velocity ranging from 3.34m/s - 10m/s up to a sliding distance of 565.4m at room temperature. Minimum wear rate was observed for 6061Al+ 6% B4Cp at sliding velocity of 6.67m/s, normal load of 49.05N with sliding distance of 565.4N compared to 6061Al+ 4% B4Cp composite and as cast 6061Al alloy. Worn surface were studied using optical microscopy to understand the wear mechanism exhibited by composites prepared. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd.