Corrosive wear of SiC whisker- and particulate-reinforced 6061 aluminum alloy composites
Journal
Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A: Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science
Journal Volume
27
Journal Issue
9
Pages
2653-2662
Date Issued
1996
Author(s)
Abstract
Wear tests on SiC whisker- and SiC particulate-reinforced 6061-T6 aluminum matrix composites (SiCw/Al and SiCp/Al), fabricated using a high pressure infiltration method, were performed in laboratory air, ion-exchanged water and a 3 pet NaCl aqueous solution using a block-on-ring type apparatus. The effects of environment, applied load, and rotational (sliding) speed on the wear properties against a sintered alumina block were evaluated. Electrochemical measurements in ion-exchanged water and a 3 pet NaCl aqueous solution were also made under the same conditions as the wear tests. A comparison was made with the properties of the matrix aluminum alloy 6061-T6. The SiC-reinforced composites exhibited better wear resistance compared with the monolithic 6061 Al alloy even in a 3 pet NaCl aqueous solution. Increase in the wear resistance depended on the shape, size, and volume fraction of the SiC reinforcement. Good correlation was obtained between corrosion resistance and corrosion wear. The ratios of wear volume due to the corrosive effect to noncorrosive wear were 23 to 83 pet, depending on the wear conditions.
SDGs
Type
journal article