Dry-Sliding Wear Analysis of SiC Reinforced AA6063 As-Cast Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites

Abstract

The pin-on-disc dry sliding wear analysis and metallurgical characterization of as-cast aluminum alloy AA6063 silicon carbide particulate (SiCp) composites of 400 mesh size (37µm), using magnesium metal powder as wetting agent produced by two step stir casting technique has been investigated and discussed here. The composition of reinforcement was being varied by varying the weight fraction of silicon carbide particles (0%, 3.5%, 7% and 10.5%). The dry slippery wear behavior at room temperature has been studied through wear rate analysis over a weight range of 20N-40N along a total sliding distance of 1570m at a constant speed of 500rpm.The results revealed that the wear in micrometer decreases and also there is decrement in wear rate with the increase in wt. % SiC, while the wear in µm and wear rate has increased with the increase in the value of load in N. The vicker’s microhardness values at a load of 0.05kgf have shown a sharp increase in the hardness values of the matrix composites