Effect of the silicon content and thermomechanical treatment on the dry sliding wear behavior of spray-deposited Al-Si/SiCp composites

In this study, The wear behaviors of spray-deposited Al-Si/SiC composites, with Si contents between 9 and 20% and 15 vol.% SiC particles, were investigated by using a ring-on-ring test at room temperature under dry conditions. The microstructures, morphologies and phases of worn surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDAX), respectively. In addition, the wear mechanisms of the composites with different silicon content were discussed. It has been found that the wear rate decreases with the increase of hardness of composites due to silicon content increasing. The wear resistances of the composites are improved dramatically through thermomechanical treatment, compared to as-sprayed composite, due to increasing hardness and elimination of porosity. The wear mechanisms of composites vary with silicon content from abrasive to oxidative wear. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.