Tribological Properties of In Situ Composite Obtained from Sintered Mg-Ti-Al Powder Mixture

Abstract

In the experiment reported in this paper, the friction coefficient (μ) and the mass loss of the metal matrix composite obtained from a powder mixture of Mg, Ti and Al sintered at 640, 650 and 660ºC, with the other parameters held constant, were determined in the dry sliding test at the total distance of 120 m. The sliding speeds of 0.06, 0.09 and 0.14 m/s, and the loads of 2.3, 5 and 9.3 N were applied, as well as a slider made of the EN-GJL300 cast iron. The value of the friction coefficient decreased with the speed and the load, and, for most of the applied friction parameters, it was very low (0.025-0.2). Some influence of the sintering temperature on the mean value of μ and the profile of μ versus the friction distance curve was revealed, yet in the case of the lowest friction speed and load only. An increase of the composite mass loss with the load was revealed, but the wear was generally very low. For a characterization of the composite and its surface after tribological tests, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was employed. On the worn surface, effects of abrasion and deformation were visible, but no Ti particle degradation or pulling out were found.