Reciprocal sliding wear of SiC particle-reinforced Al-Cu aluminium matrix composites against stainless steel, high speed tool steel and ceramics .2. Wear mechanisms

The friction and wear of Al-Cu-SiC aluminium matrix composite pins dry sliding against 4Cr13, W18Cr4V and Si3N4(SN) ceramic blocks were investigated in a reciprocal friction test machine under applied loads of 20-175 N and reciprocal speeds of 0.075-1.2 m s(-1). The worn surface morphology was analysed to clarify the wear mechanisms. Wear mechanism maps were constructed to elucidate the effects of test condition such as applied load, reciprocal spaed and counterface materials oil the wear mode and wear mechanism transition. Wear models were proposed to explain the experimental phenomena based on the characterization studies.