Effect of aluminum nitride addition on dry wear properties of Al-11%Si alloy prepared by stir casting process

Dry wear properties of aluminum nitride (AlN) reinforced aluminum-11% silicon alloy (Al-11%Si) was studied using a pin-on-disc configuration wear tester. Different weight percentages of AlN (0 - 10 wt.%) powder were added to the Al-Si alloy, melt and stir cast via bottom pour technique to form composites of Al-Si alloy/AlN. The dry sliding wear test were performed at a room temperature (27 degrees C), under 25N and 70N load with fixed velocity of 1ms(-1) and sliding distance between 1 to 5 km. The addition of 10 wt% of AlN improved wear resistance of Al-Si alloy by 72% and 130% indicated by volume loss for 25N and 70N load respectively. Mixed-wear mechanism of delamination, adhesion and abrasion was observed for the composite when applied loads were 25N and 70N while delaminating mechanism was dominance for Al-Si matrix alloy. Both Al-Si alloy with and without AlN reinforced found with FE element from counter-face disk that shows material transfer was significant.