Wear properties of aluminum alloy reinforced by short alumina fibers with gradient distribution

The wear properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced by alumina short fibers with gradient distribution, which was fabricated by compressing the fibrous preform during the squeeze infiltration with molten metal into the preform, were investigated by means of a block-on-ring (bearing steel) type wear rig. Volume loss and coefficients of friction of these composites with 15% volume fraction of original reinforcements were measured under the lubricated condition at different infiltration distances. The infiltration conditions, such as infiltration velocity and binder content in preform, affected the gradient distribution of the wear-resistance of the metal matrix composites (MMCs). Volume loss of this MMCs gradually decreases along with the infiltration distance under the lubricated condition. Friction coefficient of this MMCs increases slowly with increasing infiltration distance under these conditions.