Investigating the load and temperature-dependent dry sliding wear performance of Al–12Ce alloys with Si and Mg additions

Abstract

The current study investigates the effect of load and temperature on the wear characteristics of gravity-cast Al–12Ce, Al–12Ce-X alloys (where X = 4Si, 0.4Mg, and 4Si+0.4Mg), and commercial A356 alloys at 5, 10, and 20 N; and at 25, 100, and 200 °C newly fabricated for diesel engine applications. The addition of 4Si and 0.4Mg increased the Al–12Ce alloy's hardness and decreased the volumetric wear rate of the alloy at all loads and temperatures. However, the Al–12Ce–4Si-0.4Mg alloy had the lowest wear rates at all loads and temperatures. The friction coefficient and surface roughness diminish with 4Si and 0.4Mg addition to Al–12Ce alloys, which was the lowest in the Al–12Ce–4Si-0.4Mg alloy. Under the loading and temperature conditions, friction coefficient and surface roughness are the lowest in the Al–12Ce–4Si-0.4Mg alloy. All of the alloys are subject to abrasion, adhesion, oxidation, and delamination wear mechanisms under experimental conditions. However, the wear mechanisms are the most severe and mildest in the Al–12Ce and Al–12Ce–4Si-0.4Mg alloys, respectively. The superior wear response of the alloy Al–12Ce–4Si-0.4Mg is attributed to its smaller grain size, less amount of Al11Ce3 phase, and higher amount of thermally stable CeAlSi2 phases.