Effect of high temperature on wear behavior of stir cast aluminium/boron carbide composites

Abstract

The need for development of high temperature wear resistant composite materials with superior mechanical properties and tribological properties is increasing significantly. The high temperature wear properties of aluminium boron carbide composites was evaluated in this investigation. The effect of load, sliding velocity, temperature and reinforcement percentage on wear rate was determined by the pin heating method using pin heating arrangement. The size and structure of base alloy particles change considerably with an increase of boron carbide particles. The wettability and interface bonding between the matrix and reinforcement enhanced by the addition of potassium flurotitanate. ANOVA technique was used to study the effect of input parameters on wear rate. The investigation reveals that the load had higher significance than sliding velocity, temperature and weight fraction. The pin surface was studied with a high-resolution scanning electron microscope. Regression analysis revealed an extensive association between control parameters and response. The developed composites can be used in the production of automobile parts requiring high wear, frictional and thermal resistance.