Effect of Heat Treatment on the Wear Behavior of AlSi5Mg Alloy Matrix Composites Reinforced with SiCp Particles

Abstract

Aluminum alloy (AlSi5Mg) matrix composite materials reinforced with different volume fraction of silicon carbide particles (SiCp) were heat treated to T6 temper, and the effects of SiCp content and heat treatment on the mechanical and frictional properties were investigated. The aging time was optimized and dry sliding ball- on-disc type wear tests were carried out. Besides, the microstructural analyses were carried out by using optical microscopy to observe the distribution of SiC particles in the matrix alloy. Also, worn surfaces of the composite samples were investigated by SEM to observe the interface characteristics between aluminum matrix and SiCp reinforcements. The distribution of SiCp in the AlSi5Mg matrix was homogenous and the optimum aging time was 6 hours for all fractions. The mechanical and tribological properties of the samples are improved with increasing volume fraction of SiCp and the matrix hardness.

Keywords: Aluminum matrix composites, Aging time, Wear, AlSi5Mg, Heat treatment.