Tribological Behavior of TiAl Metal Matrix Composite Brake Disk with TiC Reinforcement Under Dry Sliding Conditions

In this investigation, the effect of TiC particulate reinforcement and sintering parameters on tribological behavior of TiAl metal matrix composite (TMMC) has been studied and compared with commercially conventional gray cast iron to evaluate the use of TMMC as brake disk material in an automobile. Three sample disks of TMMC containing TiC particulate reinforcement (D1-5 wt.%, D2 and D3-10 wt.%) were produced by the spark plasma sintering process. D3 compared with D2 was sintered at a higher temperature to evaluate the effect of SPS parameters on the wear characteristics of TMMC. All experiments were performed on pin-on-disk tribotester under a dry sliding condition with different loads (10-11.5 N) and sliding velocities (0.2-0.9 m/s). It is found that higher content of TiC increased TMMC hardness and density. XRD technique has been used to analyze the phase composition. Owing to the high sintering temperature, alpha-2 Ti3Al phase was formed which further enhanced the matrix anti-wear capability. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to capture the wear track and observe wear mechanism. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) has been used to analyze the tribofilm and wear debris. The results showed that the tribofilm for TMMC was mainly composed of metal oxides. Oxidation of Al and Ti due to frictional heat provides wear-resistant protective layer. Under almost all sliding conditions, TMMC, especially disk D3, exhibited minimum wear rate and stable friction coefficient, whereas gray cast iron exhibited lower and unstable friction coefficient as well as higher wear rate. TMMC has shown superior tribological characteristics over gray cast iron in terms of low wear rate along with stable and adequate friction coefficient which is necessary for braking operation and life of brake disk. However, further investigation on full-scale automobile conditions is needed for its practical application.