Wear Characteristics of Aluminum-Silicon Alloy under Lubricated Sliding Conditions

Abstract

The wear characteristics of aluminum-silicon alloys were studied using a pin-on-disk-type wear tester with different types of lubricants under fully flooded condition. Aluminum-silicon alloy pin specimens were run against the same aluminum-silicon disc surfaces. Wear tests showed that wear resistance of aluminum-silicon alloy was largely influenced by the type of lubricant. Test results showed that hydrocarbon-based fluids such as mineral oils or poly-a-olefins exhibit better wear-protecting property and higher load-carrying capacity than polar base fluids such as polyol esters or polyalkylene glycols. This is contrary to the results of iron-iron systems. The effect of water on the wear and scuffing resistance of aluminum-silicon alloy was also investigated. Water was found to promote the formation of aluminum oxide and silicon oxide layers on the surface which reduced the wear rate and increased scuffing load for aluminum-silicon alloy. Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois May 14–19,...