Fabrication, microstructural characterization and wear characteristics of A380 alloy-alumina composites

To obtain better mechanical and tribological properties than aluminium alloys aluminium is reinforced with alumina particles making aluminium metal matrix composites. In this work scrap piston A380 alloy was used as the matrix alloy. Alumina particles were added by 5%, 10% and 15% into matrix alloy respectively to form desired composites by stir casting technique. Pin on disc wear testing machine with counter surface as steel disc of hardness HRC 32 and surface roughness of 0.62 μm was used to conduct the wear test. In result composites showed superior wear resistance property over A380 alloy. The effect of load, sliding speed and sliding distance on wear behaviour were also examined in this study. Wear mechanism was identified from the worn surface. Both optical and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the composites was performed to determine the microstructures. Optical micrograph shows grain size decreases with addition of alumina particles. EDS analysis was performed to confirm the presence of α-Al matrix, primary Si particles and intermetallic. As a general method, phase compositions were analyzed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Optical microstructures were consistent with the SEM micrographs.