Effect of the reinforcement volume fraction on the dry sliding wear behaviour of Al–10Si/SiCp composites produced by vacuum infiltration technique

Abstract In this study, effect of the reinforcement volume fraction on the dry sliding wear behaviour of Al–10Si/SiC p composites produced by vacuum infiltration technique was investigated. 0–40 vol% SiC p -reinforced composites were produced in the experimental study. In the infiltration process, an Al–10Si alloy was infiltrated into the compact of SiC p , 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 against a steel disc using a pin-on-disc type apparatus. Worn test specimens were examined by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) and wear mechanisms were determined. Tests were also carried out on the unreinforced matrix material. The MMCs exhibited excellent wear resistance compared with the unreinforced matrix. The volumetric wear rate increased with increasing applied load while it decreased with increasing volume fraction of the SiC p . The results showed that the wear mechanism was oxidation at low load levels and adhesion and delamination at high load levels in the composite having low volume fraction of reinforcement.