Wear properties of potassium titanate whiskers-reinforced Al-12Si alloy composites

Potassium titanate (K(2)O center dot 6TiO(2)) whiskers-reinforced Al-12Si alloy composites were prepared by the squeeze casting technique. Wear properties of the composites were investigated by pin-on-disc tests under dry conditions. The experimental results showed that K(2)O center dot 6TiO(2) whiskers can effectively reinforce the matrix alloy and improve the wear resistance of the composite when the volume fraction of whiskers is low at 10 vol%. However, the composites with a high volume fraction of whiskers showed lower wear resistance than the Al-12Si alloy. The main wear mechanism of the composites is clarified as de-lamination and abrasive wear.