Evaluation of Microstructure, Mechanical, Thermal and Erosive Wear Behavior of Aluminum-Based Composites

In the present study, we have shown the effect of a varying content of silicon carbide (SiC, 0, 10 and 15 wt.%) on the microstructure, mechanical, thermal and erosive wear behavior aluminum alloy (LM13). The erosive wear response was thoroughly studied by the sample rotation technique using slurry pot erosion tester. The influence of critical parameters; speed, sand content and slurry environment on the wear behavior have been studied. In order to examine the influence of the SiC particle, matrix alloy was also characterized under identical conditions. The microstructural studies of the composite suggest that there is the presence of significant interaction between the matrix and SiC particles. In the composite, the SiC particles were uniformly distributed, but dispersing SiC particles eventually deteriorate the tensile and fatigue life under the present domain of experiments. The composite exhibited minimum wear rate than the matrix alloy in an acidic and saline medium, however, the matrix showed enhanced wear resistance in the basic media (when compared to that of SiC reinforced composites). The rate of material loss is found to be higher with increased sand concentration due to an increase in the impinging action of the sand particles. The study reveals that the loss of material was due to the combined effect of corrosive, erosive and abrasive actions of the slurry medium. Erosion mechanism is found to be a predominant in the acidic medium, whereas corrosion is responsible in the case of the basic medium.