Wear Behavior of AA1060 Reinforced with Alumina under Different Loads

MARIO ROBERTO ROSENBERGER; BORELLI, R.; ARES, A.E.; FORLERER, E.; SCHVEZOV, C. E.

San Antonio Texas. USA.

Congreso; 2006 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition; 2006

The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society

The wear behavior of samples of AA1060 aluminum matrix reinforced with 15% of alumina particles in a range of loads between 4.9 N and 130.5 N, were determined using a pin-on-ring machine. The tests were performed at a velocity of 2.7 m/s up to achieve the steady-state. The counterface was a carbon steel ring of 280 HB in hardness. Optical and electronic microscopy, X-Ray energy analysis and hardness measurement were performed in order to characterize the worn samples. A mild wear mechanism is present for loads lower than 80 N and at larger loads changes to severe wear mechanism. In the mild wear regime a Mechanically Mixed Layer (MML), with Iron from the counterface and material of the composite, was formed. This MML was responsible of the wear resistance of the composite. At larger load the conditions produced large instabilities which prevent the formation of the protective Mechanically Mixed Layer.