Effect of NiAl and SiC particles on the sliding wear behavior of particle reinforced aluminum matrix composites

The sliding wear behavior of NiAl and SiC particles reinforced aluminum alloy matrix composites against S45C steel was studied. The special attention was focus on the effect of particles on the wear resistance of particle reinforced composites and the counterface material. No matter what kinds of particles, the wear rates of NiAlp/Al and SiCp/Al composites at loads below 3.5 N or above 13.5 N were much lower than those of aluminum alloy, however, the wear rates of composites are increased to a level comparable to that of unreinforced aluminum alloy in the middle applied loads. The SiCp/Al composites worn the counterface materials S45C steel at higher wear rates than aluminum alloy at the entire applied load range. The NiAlp/Al composites worn the steel at the maximum wear rate at lower loads near 5 N even if the hardness of NiAl particle is smaller than that of SiC. However, as load increased, the wear rates of steel against NiAlp/Al became smaller and were almost the same as those worn against aluminum.