Solid particle erosion behaviour of cenosphere reinforced LM6 (Al-Si12) matrix alloy composites

Abstract

Solid particle erosion of squeeze-cast LM6 (Al-Si12)/cenosphere composites was investigated at ambient temperature. Experiments were performed with different weight percentages (5%, 7.5%, 10% and 12.5%) of composites, having four velocities (48 m/s, 70 m/s, 82 m/s and 109 m/s), at impact angle (30°, 45°, 60° and 90°) and with silica sand as abrasive particle. The eroded surfaces were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed that the particle velocity and impact angle affected the erosion behaviour of the composites. It was found that with the addition of reinforcement to the matrix, the erosion rate was increased at high particle velocities or upon increasing impact angle. The erosion mechanisms observed for the composites are micro ploughing and micro cutting at low impact angles, whereas at high impact angles the erosion of the composites is due to fracture.