Dry Sliding Wear Performance of ZA27/SiC/GraphiteComposites

Abstract

The paper describes the wear performance of zinc-aluminium ZA27 alloy, reinforced with silicon-carbide (SiC) and graphite (Gr) particles. The compo-casting technique produced the composite samples. The tested samples were: ZA27 alloy, ZA27/5%SiC composite, and ZA27/5%SiC/3%Gr hybrid composite. A block-on-disc tribometer was used during wear tests under the dry sliding conditions by varying the normal loads and sliding speeds. The sliding distance was constant during tests. The microstructure of the worn surfaces of the tested materials was analysed using the scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and the energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS).

Wear Behaviour of ZA27/SiC/Graphite Composites under Lubricated Sliding Conditions

“…During the research, it was noticed that the basic ZA27 alloy has a mostly dendritic structure and that it is uniform. The authors of [ 18 , 25 , 27 , 33 ] have reached the similar conclusion. They state that the microstructure of the matrix alloy is homogeneous with clearly expressed phases with the content of constitutive elements.…”

“…In this research, the appearance of the surfaces of the tested materials was analysed with a Meiji Techno’s MT8500 optical microscope (Meiji Techno Co., Ltd., Saitama, Japan) [ 33 ]. Figure 1 a presents the structure of a SiC-reinforced composite, while Figure 1 b shows hybrid composite containing SiC particles and graphite.…”

“…Experimental tests were performed on the block-on-disc tribometer and a measuring part with computer support was used for the acquisition of the obtained signals and numerical data processing [ 16 , 33 ]. The general appearance of the tribometer is shown in Figure 2 a and its characteristics are described in [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…It is possible to achieve the defined optimal contact conditions in the disk/sample zone as well as the appropriate process parameters set in the tribological test plan. Tribometer configuration and corresponding systems are given in detail in [ 33 ].…”

“…The optimal tribological characteristics were obtained by appropriate combination of reinforcement materials and their particulate size. In [ 33 ], wear performance of ZA27/5%SiC and ZA27/5%SiC/3%Gr materials in non-lubricated conditions achieved on block-on-disk tribometer was described. The basic process parameters were defined (loads and speeds) and experimental tests were performed by varying their numerical values.…”