Wear behaviors at different temperatures of ZrO₂ reinforced A356 matrix composites produced by mechanical alloying method

Purpose The purpose of this study, the tribological behaviors at different temperatures of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) with different amounts of ZrO2 added were investigated. Design/methodology/approach Aluminium graphite (A356/2 wt% graphite (solid lubricant)) composite powders prepared by adding four different amounts (3 wt%, 6 wt%, 9 wt% and 12 wt%) of Zirconia (ZrO2) to the matrix were mechanically alloyed for 4 h. Wear tests were conducted at five different temperatures (20 °C, 100 °C, 180 °C, 260 °C and 340 °C) and for three different sliding distances (53 m, 72 m and 94 m) on the pin-on-disc type wear tester. Findings Results of the study showed that the highest hardness and density value were measured for 12% ZrO2 added AMC material. Wear test results showed that weight loss increases with increasing temperature; weight loss decreases at all temperatures with the increasing amount of reinforcement in the matrix. Originality/value In this paper, the tribological properties of aluminium matrix composites produced by the mechanical alloying method by adding different amounts of ZrO2 were determined by simulating the tribological properties at different loads and temperatures.