EFFECTS OF AGE-HARDENING AND WORK-HARDENING ON FRICTION AND WEAR OF AL-4 WT PERCENT CU DURING ABRASION

The friction, wear and surface microhardness of Al-4 wt. % Cu were measured during abrasion and their dependence on age-hardening and degree of work-hardening was investigated. New results are reported for the friction and wear behaviour of this alloy during age-hardening at different temperatures (~20, 165 and 250°C) and as a function of the degree of work-hardening. The (hardness, time) loci are substantially close to those of previous workers. The (friction, hardness) relationship is shown to be notably different for age-hardening and for work-hardening. The (wear resistance, hardness) loci for age-hardening appear to resemble in type those obtained by Khruschov in the case of abrasive wear of steels. The detailed analysis of the above data in terms of the calculated size and separation of the precipitate particles formed during ageing is presented in a later paper. © 1969.