Sliding wear and friction behaviour of Al–18% Si–0.5% Mg alloy

Abstract

In present paper, the influence of copper on wear-friction behaviour of hypereutectic Al–Si alloy (Al–18% Si–0.5% Mg) has been investigated. Sliding tests were conducted under dry sliding conditions against hardened steel En-31 counter surface over a range of sliding speed from 2.0 to 7.0 m/s and contact load from 10 to 80 N. It was observed that the wear rate is a function of contact load, sliding speed, composition and thermal softening characteristics of sliding metal. Wear of hypereutectic aluminium–silicon alloy is not appreciably affected with the addition of copper. However, addition of copper increases the transition load at 2.0 m/s sliding speed. Copper addition more than 2%, did not show any effect on the transition load.