Sliding wear behavior of the WC/FeAl-B intermetallic matrix composites at high temperatures

Abstract

In this research, the sliding wear of sintered WC/40vol% (FeAl-B) composites was studied at high temperatures. It is expected that the wear behavior of WC/FeAl can be improved in the presence of boron at high temperatures. The composites contained different amounts of boron and alumina was chosen as the counter body material in the wear tests. The tests were carried out at temperatures ranging from ambient to 600°C so that the effect of boron and temperature on wear resistance could be specified. The results showed that while hardness slightly decreased with increasing the boron content to 500ppm in the FeAl-B matrix, the fracture toughness increased significantly. The maximum wear resistance of the WC/FeAl-500ppm B composite was recorded at all the temperatures examined. Investigations of the wear surfaces showed that while the wear mechanism of the WC/FeAl-B composites was an abrasive one at room temperature and 300°C, a more adhesive wear mechanism was detected at 400°C and a matrix oxidation mechanism was observed at 600°C.