High temperature abrasion behaviour of Al/SiCp composites

In this study, high temperature wear behaviour of commercially pure Al matrix and Al-8 wt.% Mg alloy matrix composites reinforced with 60 vol.% SiCp were compared. Composites were produced by pressure infiltration technique and their tribological performance were examined by abrasive wear tests at various temperatures up to 500 degreesC. Wear tests were carried out under normal stress of 0.7 N/mm(2) by rubbing on 125 mum Al2O3 abrasive grains bonded to belts. At all testing temperatures, the Al-8 wt.% Mg alloy matrix composite exhibited lower wear rate than that of pure Al matrix composite. Wear rates of the composites were almost independent from test temperatures up to 200 degreesC. At temperatures higher than 200 degreesC, the wear rate of both composites increased dramatically with increasing test temperature.