Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Al-B ₄ C Particulate Reinforced Composites Produced by Powder Metallurgy Method

Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) have been widely investigated and applied due to their advantages of improved strength, stiffness and increased wear resistance over the unreinforced alloys in automobile industries. MMCs are the type of materials which can be designed to combine the strength, ductility and formability of metallic alloys with the non-metallic compounds such as silicon carbide, aluminum oxide and boron carbide. This paper investigates dry sliding wear behavior of aluminum (Al) matrix (MMCs) reinforced with different amounts (3, 6, and 9 wt%) of B₄C_p processed using pressureless sintering at 550°C under argon atmosphere. Wear tests were performed on a pin-on-disk configuration against SAE 1040 steel counter body under constant load and sliding speed. The relationship between wear resistance and wear mechanism were investigated. The influence of wetting characteristics of B₄C_p by the matrix was also evaluated. Worn surfaces of composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique in order to identify dominant wear mechanism of the produced composite material. Microstructural studies conducted on the composites indicated that homogeneous distribution of the B₄C particles in the Al matrix and a good interface between them had been achieved. According to pin on disc wear test results wear resistance of composite increased with increasing B₄C particle content.