Effects of SiO2 particles on wear behavior of Cu-SiO2 dispersion-hardened alloys

Effects of solid particles on wear behavior of dispersion-hardened alloy were investigated using Cu-SiO2 alloys containing 0.6vol.%SiO2, 1.2vol.%SiO2 and 1.7vol.%SiO2 particles. Wear tests were made using pin-on-disc type wear machine. Wear property of the Cu-SiO2 alloys is improved by increasing volume fraction of SiO2 particles. Moreover, wear amounts of Cu-SiO2 alloys increase with increasing the sliding distance, and then are saturated at exceeding about 1 km. This is why that SiO2 particle improves the strength of Cu-SiO2 alloy, and that the work hardening occurs on worn surface. Wear-induced layer is formed just below worn surface by severe plastic deformation due to wear, and its hardness increases as the volume fraction Of SiO2 particles increases. From these obtained results, wear process of Cu-SiO2 alloy was discussed.