Tribological behavior, mechanical properties and microstructure of Al-12Si-ZrC composite prepared by powder metallurgy

Abstract

Abstract. High-energy mechanical alloying method was used to prepare Al-12Si-xZrC (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 wt. %) nanocomposites. Cylindrical preforms were prepared with an initial preform density of 89% by using a suitable die and punch assembly. The preforms were sintered in a muffle furnace with an inert gas atmosphere at a temperature of 550°C, followed by cooling until room temperature has been attained. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used to characterize the composites. Pin-on-disc wear testing machine was used to determine the tribological properties of the prepared composites. The results show that the wear loss reduced with increasing the reinforcement content and coefficient of friction increases gradually. Normally, solid state methods are used to produce composites with high mechanical properties, because these methods deliver a uniform distribution of reinforcing phase particle in the matrix material [6][7][8][9][10]. Some trials were conducted to fabricate Al-12Si-xZrC nanocomposites using different techniques, but the mechanical alloying method is a suitable technique to fabricate Al-12Si-xZrC nanocomposites. No attempt has been made to fabricate Al matrix composites reinforced with ZrC particles using the P/M method. In this present paper, an effort is made to study the outcome of wear behavior of Al-12Si-xZrC nanocomposites prepared with the mechanical alloying method. These composites were characterized using SEM and XRD. The wear behavior was calculated using the weight loss method. The worn surfaces and wear debris were characterized using SEM. Experimental procedure2.1. Materials. Aluminium and silicon with 99.5% purity and particle size of 44 µm were purchased from Metal Powder Company Limited, Thirumangalam, Tamilnadu, India, and the ZrC powder with a high, 99.9% purity and particle size of 400 nm was purchased from US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., USA. The individual powders were pulverized and mixed in a high-energy ball mill with ball-to-powder weight ratio of 20:1. The milling was done at a constant speed of 300 rpm in a wet medium with a presence of toluene to avoid oxidation and agglomeration. Scanning electron microscope images were used for the analysis of mixed powder particles. Fig. 1 shows the received powders of aluminium, silicon, and zirconium carbide. From the SEM images, it can be visualized that aluminium was spherical in shape, silicon was flattened and nano-zirconium carbide had a cubic crystal shape.

W-Ti-N thin film tribological behaviour for piston skirt properties improvement

“…Similar diffraction peaks are shown for both samples with higher diffraction intensity for the W-Ti-N on stainless steel substrate. XRD patterns indicate the existence of TiN, WN, Ti and W which is in agreement with previous results [12-15]. Diffraction peaks of the substrates are also indicated since the W-Ti-N film is not thick enough to mask their signal.…”

Synergistic effect of Fe-amorphous and bionic microtexture in enhancing high-temperature tribological properties of Al-12Si piston materials

“…In order to improve the friction and wear performance of AMCs, researchers commonly reinforce AMCs with ceramic particles, quasi-crystalline materials, high entropy alloys or amorphous materials. The addition of ZrC ceramic particles signi cantly reduces the friction coe cient and wear amount of Al-12Si [3]. Similarly, TiC (5, 10 and 15 wt%) reinforced Al-12Si substrates showed wear amounts of 7.3 × 10 -4 , 6.1 × 10 -4 and 50.5 × 10 -4 mm 3 .…”

The Corrosion Rate of B4c Particles Reinforced with Al-Si Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy in Acidic Solution Using RSM

“…Hydrochloric acid solution was utilized for pickling, chemical and process productions wherein Al composites are utilized [7]. In current years, aluminium alloy based metal matrix composites are being investigated as candidate materials in some applications such as automobile parts and aerospace etc., [4]. In this general RSM design was utilized for the reason that this kind of design is appropriate for products and process design, process enhancement and industrial investigation.…”

“…In recent times, there has been adevelopment of interest in nano composites comprising low density and reinforcements at low cost. In general, because of a few reasons the corrosion resistance of Al composites is not exactly the Al alloys, for example, the cracks at the matrix/ strengthening interface, producing flaws, microstructural variations and galvanic possessions because of the connection of the matrix and reinforcing [4]. Some chemical treating and aerospace industries, Al composites have developed as interchange materials.…”