Influence of particle content and temperature on dry sliding wear behavior of rice husk ash reinforced AA6061 slurry cast aluminum matrix composites

Abstract

AA6061 aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced rice husk ash (RHA) particles (0–8 wt %) were produced. The sliding wear was assessed using a pin-on-disc wear apparatus with a heating facility, and the temperature was varied from 40 °C to 240 °C. The incorporation of RHA particles was beneficial in improving the wear resistance and reducing the COF values over the entire range of temperatures used. The increase in temperature deteriorated the wear resistance of the composites. AA6061/(0–4 wt %) RHA AMCs showed a clear transition from mild wear to severe wear at a temperature of 200 °C. The increase in RHA particle content increased the transition wear temperature. The wear mode changed from abrasive wear at 40 °C to adhesive material flow at 240 °C.