Microstructure and wear resistance of Cu_ss-toughened Cr₅Si₃/CrSi metal silicide alloys

Wear-resistant Cu-based solid-solution-toughened Cr₅Si₃/CrSi metal silicide alloy with a microstructure consisting of predominantly the dual-phase primary dendrites with a Cr₅Si₃ core encapsulated by CrSi phase and a small amount of interdendritic Cu-based solid solution (Cu_ss) was designed and fabricated by the laser melting process using Cr–Si–Cu elemental powder blends as the precursor materials. The microstructure of the Cu_ss-toughened Cr₅Si₃/CrSi metal silicide alloy was characterized by optical microscopy, powder x-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The Cu_ss-toughened silicide alloys have excellent wear resistance and low coefficient of friction under room temperature dry sliding wear test conditions with hardened 0.45% C carbon steel as the sliding–mating counterpart.