Metallography, Microstructure, and Wear Analysis of AA 6063/TiC Composites for Augmented Dry Sliding Property at Room Temperature

This paper summarizes the experimental investigations for augmented dry sliding property of AA 6063/TiC composite. An in situ metal matrix composite has been prepared with AA 6063 alloy for the matrix and TiC for reinforcement particulates. The fabrication of the composites is done by using potassium titanium fluoride (K2TiF6) and powder of graphite as a mixture for reaction along with molten aluminum alloy at 950 degrees C. The weight fraction of TiC particulates has been varied in the composites C-0, C-1, C-2, and C-3 as 0, 3, 6, and 9%, respectively. Various characterization techniques and tests were conducted to observe the morphological properties of the composites. The composites were categorized into three sets. The first set of the composites is as-cast condition. The composites were heat-treated to form two more sets, namely solutionized and solutionized-aged condition sets. The "pin-on-disk" apparatus is used for conducting the tests, wear analysis, and comparative analysis of the wear for the dry sliding condition. The study indicated a significant enhancement of the resistance to wear by composites with the higher fractions of titanium carbide (TiC) particulates and further enhancement with the heat treatment.