Cast In-Situ Al (Mg,Mo)-Al2O3 (MoO3) Composite: Characterization and Tribological Behavior

Abstract

Aluminum alloy-based cast in-situ composite has been synthesized by dispersion of externally added molybdenum trioxide particles (MoO3) in molten aluminum at the processing temperature of 850 °C. During processing, displacement reaction between molten aluminum and MoO3 particles, results in formation of alumina particles in-situ also releases molybdenum into molten aluminum. A part of this molybdenum forms solid -solution with aluminum and the remaining part reacts with aluminum to form intermetallic phase Mo(Al1−xFex)12 of different morphologies. Magnesium (Mg) is added to the melt in order to help wetting of alumina particles generated in-situ, by molten aluminum and help to retain these particles inside the melt. The mechanical properties (ultimate tensile stress, yield stress, percentage elongation and hardness) of the cast in-situ composite are relatively higher than those observed either in cast commercial aluminum or in cast Al-Mo alloys. The wear and friction of the resulting cast in-situ Al(Mg, Mo)Al2O3(MoO3) composites have been investigated using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine, at different normal loads of 9.8, 14.7, 19.6, 24.5, 29.4, 34.3 and 39.2 N and a constant sliding speed of 1.05 m/s, under dry sliding conditions. The results indicate that the cumulative volume loss and wear rate of cast in-situ composites are significantly lower than those observed either in cast commercial aluminum or in cast Al-Mo alloy, under similar load and sliding conditions. Beyond about 30-35 N loads, there appears to be a higher rate of increase in the wear rate in the cast in-situ composite as well as in cast commercial aluminum and cast Al-Mo alloy. For a given normal load, the coefficient of friction of cast in-situ composite is significantly lower than those observed either in cast commercial aluminum or cast Al-Mo alloy. The coefficient of friction of cast in-situ composite increases gradually with increasing normal load while those observed in cast commercial aluminum or cast Al-Mo alloy remain more or less the same. Beyond a critical normal load of about 30-35 N, the coefficient of friction decreases with increasing normal load in all the three materials.