Journal Published Online: 28 August 2017
Volume 6, Issue 1

Wear Performance of Squeeze Cast ZA27–Based Composites Containing SiC, ZrO2, C, or Hybrid of SiC+C Particles

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

Zinc-27 percent by weight (wt.%) aluminum (ZA27)–based composites containing five percent by volume (vol.%) of various particulates, namely, silicon carbide (SiC), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), carbon (C), and hybrid of SiC+C, were successfully prepared by stirring method followed by squeeze casting. Pin-on-disc dry wear tests were carried out to study the sliding wear behavior of the ZA27 alloy and produced composites. Experiments were performed within a load range of 20 N to 60 N at a constant sliding speed of 1.5 m/s. It was found that the addition of particles improved the wear resistance of the resultant composites when compared with the unreinforced ZA27 alloy. Amongst the produced composites, highest wear resistance was achieved with the ZrO2 particulate–reinforced composite, while the carbon-reinforced composite exhibited the lowest wear resistance. The wear resistance of the investigated materials decreased as the applied load was increased. The friction coefficient of the composites was much lower than that of the unreinforced alloy. The wear rate data as well as examination of the worn surfaces and wear debris by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis suggested a change of predominating wear mechanisms as the load changed. At a low load (20 N), the wear rate of the matrix alloy and carbon reinforced composites was relatively low, the worn surfaces consisted of localized shallow grooves, and the wear debris was fine, suggesting that the predominating wear mechanism was smearing. For the composites reinforced with SiC and ZrO2 at a load of 20 N, the wear rate was relatively low, and the worn surfaces revealed parallel ploughing marks, indicating that the predominant wear mechanism was ploughing and abrasive wear. However, at a load of 60 N, the predominant wear mechanism was plastic deformation and delamination for all the investigated materials in which the wear rate was significantly higher; the worn surface displayed some patches, and large-sized, platelike debris was observed.

Author Information

El-khair, Malak Taher Abou
Composite Materials Laboratory, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Cairo, Helwan, Egypt
Lotfy, Ahmed
Composite Materials Laboratory, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Cairo, Helwan, Egypt
Daoud, Atef
Composite Materials Laboratory, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Cairo, Helwan, Egypt
El-sheikh, Ahmed
Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Pages: 20
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Stock #: MPC20150013
ISSN: 2379-1365
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20150013