IMPROVEMENT OF TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF A356-AL2O3 CAST COMPOSITES BY HEAT-TREATMENT

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Materials Engineering Dept., Faculty of Engineering, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt

Abstract

Metal matrix composites have better mechanical and tribological properties compared to the matrix materials.This study presents effect of heat-treatment on hardness and tribological properties of A356 aluminum alloy reinforced with different weight fractions of Al2O3 particles. Metal matrix composites were fabricated by stir casting method. The sliding wear test was carried using Pin-on-Disc apparatus at a constant sliding speed of 1m/s and load of 30 N. Wear resistance of A356 alloy and its composites was improved after heat treatment with improving ratio between 14-17.3% as compared to as cast conditions. The heat treated test specimens also resulted in marked improvements in hardness as compared with these materials in the as-cast condition.  

Keywords