Wear and friction of Al–Al2O3 composites at various sliding speeds

The present study addresses the dry wear behavior of Al2O3 6061 Aluminum particulate composite under different sliding speeds and applied load using pin-on-disk tribometer at room temperature. Three grades of the submicron particle composites containing 10, 20, and 30 vol.% Al2O3 were tested. The results illustrate that higher load and higher concentration of Al2O3 particles lead to higher wear rates. For 10 and 20% Al2O3 concentrations, the wear rate decreases with increasing sliding speed, while it increases for 30% Al2O3. The surface morphologies of the worn composites indicate that at lower sliding speeds abrasion is dominant, while at higher sliding speeds delamination and adhesion increases. Results also indicate that the friction coefficient between the composite and the mating steel surface decreases with increasing sliding speed to a steady state.