Wear behaviour of Al/(Al ₂O ₃ + ZrB ₂ + TiB ₂) hybrid composites fabricated by hot pressing

Abstract

The dry sliding wear behaviour of Al/(Al ₂O ₃ + ZrB ₂ + TiB ₂) hybrid composite was tested by using a pin-on-disc testing machine at room temperature and 300 °C. Hybrid reinforcement was fabricated by mechanically activated combustion synthesis, and the composites were prepared by hot pressing of aluminium powder and hybrid reinforcement. The effect of sliding distance, hybrid reinforcement content and temperature on the wear properties of the composites has been investigated. For comparison, the same tests were conducted on Al/Al ₂O ₃ composite and pure aluminium. Hybrid composites have higher wear resistance than pure aluminium and Al/Al ₂O ₃ composites at room temperature and 300 °C. A study of wear surfaces showed that plastic deformation induced wear and adhesive wear are the dominant mechanisms at room and high temperature, respectively.