The microstructure and wear behaviour of garnet particle reinforced Al matrix composites

Abstract

Composites containing different size range of garnet reinforced in LM13 alloy were prepared by liquid metallurgy route. Wear tests of composites were done at a constant sliding velocity of 1.6 m/s for a sliding distance of 3000 m at different loads varying from 9.8 to 49 N. The particle size variation of garnet mineral and its content used as reinforcement significantly influenced the microstructure, microhardness and wear behaviour of the composites. The wear rate of fine size garnet mineral reinforced composites is low as compared to composites reinforced with coarse size garnet mineral particles at all loads. The wear rate of 15 wt.% fine size garnet mineral reinforced composite is minimum even at higher load (49 N) when compared to the cast iron used in brake drum of vehicles. Keywords: Metal matrix composites, garnet mineral, Optical microstructure, Hardness, Wear, Wear debris, SEM.