Influence of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on the Wear Behaviour of Different Al–Si Alloys

Abstract

Aluminium and its alloys have been the centre of interest to the engineer’s community due to their high strength to weight ratio, high wear resistance, low coefficient of thermal expansion and ease of manufacture. To fulfil the increasing requirement of lighter weight, yet excellent mechanical properties than aluminium alloys, addition of grain refiners with modifiers to the alloys has been proposed. Al–Si alloy was taken as the master alloy, while magnesium and copper were added individually with a tint of modifiers and grain refiner. Two sets of same specimens of varying composition were prepared. One set of samples was annealed and the other underwent deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) followed by tempering. Wear behaviour of Al–Si alloys was analysed before and after the DCT by using the computerized ‘pin on disc’ wear testing machine. After cryogenic treatment, all the specimens, except those containing grain refiners showed influence on wear resistance.