Production of SiC particle reinforced aluminium based composite with powder metallurgy method and investigation of its wear behaviour

In this study, SiC particle reinforced Aluminium alloy based composites were produced by powder metallurgy method (P/M). The weight fractions of SiC particles were varied from 5%, 10% and 15% in the alloy. Aluminium metal powders were mixtured with different amounts of reinforcements. The mixed powders were pressed under the pressure of 800 MPa in a cylindrical die and the cylindrical specimens were produced. The produced samples were sintered at 650 ºC for 2 hours in a tube type of sintering furnace under a control of argon gas. Optical microscopic examination, hardness, density and porosity measurement were carried out. In addition, wear tests were performed in a pin-on-disc type of wear machine under different loads at a fixed speed. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDAX) analysis were used to characterize the worn surfaces of the composites. The experimental results indicated that hardness and density increased with increasing particle contents. It was found that wear rate of the composite and its alloy increased with increasing load while it decreased with increasing the particle size. The wear rate decreased significantly with increasing SiC content in the composite. Furthermore, the wear rate also increased with increasing applied load for both matrix alloy and the composite. Key Words : Al-Cu, SiC, powder metallurgy, MMC, wear