Effect of SiC weight percentage on tribological properties of Al-SiC metal matrix composites under acid environment

Abstract

In this paper, Al-SiC MMCs reinforced with different weight percentages of SiC content (5 wt.%, 7.5 wt.% and 10 wt.%) are fabricated through the liquid stir casting method. The effect of weight percentage of SiC on friction and wear properties of Al-SiC MMC is investigated. Tribological tests are conducted under acid environment in a pin-on-disk tribotester by varying the design parameters (applied normal load and sliding speed) while the duration of each experiment is kept constant for 30 minutes. It is seen from the result that wear increases with increase in applied load and sliding speed but friction coefficient shows a decreasing trend with increase in load. The addition of SiC reinforcement increases the wear resistance of the metal matrix composite. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) technique are used to analyse the wear mechanism of worn surface. From the microstructure study, it is seen that adhesive, abrasive and corrosive wear mechanisms are present for removal of material from the Al-SiC MMCs.

Keywords

• Al-SiC MMC
• Wear
• COF
• Corrosive environment