Aging and wear resistant characterization of Al-5Mg-X(Si, Cu, Ti)/SiCp composites produced by pressureless infiltration method

The effects of SiC particle size and alloy elements such as Si, Cu and Ti on the response to aging treatment and wear resistance in Al-5Mg-X(Si,Cu,Ti)/SiCp composites fabricated by pressureless infiltration method have been investigated by hardness tester, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wear tester. The Al-5Mg-0.3Si-0.1Cu-0.1Ti/SiCP composites had better wear resistance property among Al-5Mg-X(Si,Cu)/SiCP composites. The wear resistance property of all the composites was enhanced after aging at 170°C for 8 hrs due to precipitates of β'(Mg2Si) phase. The wear resistance property of the composite as-fabricated with 50 μm size of SiC particle is superior to that of the composite as-fabricated with 100 μm SiC size of particle. In Al-5%Mg alloy aged at 170°C for 8 hrs, the frictional seizure appeared more than abrading speed of 1.90 m/s, but in Al-5Mg-(Si,Cu,Ti)/SiCP composites aged at 170°C for 8 hrs, the frictional seizure was not found at abrading speed ranging from 0.5 m/s to 4.3 m/s.