Investigation of effect of B4C ratio on the wear behaviour of aluminum matrix and B4C reinforced powder metal composite material by using pin-on-disk method

In this study, Alumix-13 matrix and B4C reinforced metal matrix composite (MMKp) were produced by hot pressing and wear behavior were investigated. The mixing process of the aluminum powder with B4C at various ratios by weight (5, 10, and 15 %) was carried out in a turbulo device. Hot pressing process of mixture powders were performed under 50 MPa pressure and at 610 oC one-hour duration. After hot pressing, density, hardness measurements and metallographic examination of all of the samples were done. Wear tests of samples were performed according to ASTM G99-05 using TIRIBOMETER T 10/20. Dry sliding wear tests of composite were carried out in two different parameters. First parameter under the different load (5-10-15 and 20 N) and at 0,94 m/s sliding speed for 2000 m wear distance and second parameter under the different load (5-10 and 15 N) and at 1,05 m/s sliding speed for 150 m wear distance. During the wear tests, hardox 500 steel disk with 52 HRc hardness was used as abrasive materials. The weight lose of the samples after the wear tests were done using a precision scale which can measure 0,1 mg weight. Test results has shown that the composite materials have better wear resistance than Alumix-13 powder metal part. It was seen that adding B4C into the Alumix-13 result in increase in dry sliding wear resistance and other mechanical properties of composite materials.