Abrasive Wear Study of AA7075/ZrB2 Reinforced Composites

Abstract

AA7075-xZrB2 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.%) composites were manufactured by reacting potassium zirconium fluoride (K2ZrF6) and potassium tetrafluoroborate (KBF4) with molten AA7075 at 800°C. The ZrB2 particles formed by the reaction were fairly uniformly distributed throughout the whole composite. The microhardness of the composites increased from 45 to 78 VHN with ZrB2 contents from 0 to 20 wt.%, respectively. The wear rate rose as the load and sliding distance increased and fell as the sliding speed increased. The material-removal mechanism of the composites was due to abrasive wear.