Wear behavior of Ni-coated carbon fiber and ZrC particles reinforced 2024Al matrix composites

The dry sliding wear behavior of ZrC particles and carbon fiber reinforced 2024Al matrix composite rubbed against AISI52100 bearing steel was investigated at different loads and sliding velocities. The wear rate of the composite increased with increasing load, while an opposite trend was recorded as the velocity increased. With increasing load and speed, the wear mechanism changed from major abrasion wear, slight adhesive wear, and oxidative wear to dominant oxidative wear, secondary abrasion, and adhesive wear. The improved wear resis-tance of the composite over that of the 2024Al alloy is attributed to the steady mechanically mixed layer sup-ported by the harder and stronger composites, as well as the self-lubricating carbon fibers.