Wear of a hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy

The influence of structural modification on the wear resistance of BS 1490 (1970) LM30, a hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy specifically recommended for the production of cast automobile cylinder blocks of monobloc construction, was assessed. Wear tests were carried out using a pin on ring wear test machine. Structural modification of the alloy was obtained by adding either sodium to modify the eutectic silicon, or sulphur to refine the primary silicon; sodium and sulphur were also added in combination in an attempt both to modify the eutectic silicon and to refine the primary silicon. Structural modification had no significant effect on the wear resistance of the alloy.