Effect of Tin on the Wear Properties of Spray Formed Al–17Si Alloy

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of Sn on the dry sliding wear behavior of spray formed and hot pressed Al– 17Si alloy as a function of applied load and sliding speed has been investigated and compared with that of as-cast alloy. The microstructure of spray formed Al–17Si alloy consists of fine and uniformly distributed Si particles and that of Al–17Si–10Sn alloy consists of fine and uniform dispersion of Si particles and ultra-fine Sn particles in a-Al matrix. Coarse and segregated microstructures were observed in as-cast alloys. The wear resistance of spray formed alloys is higher than that of as-cast alloys. The wear resistance of as-cast Al–17Si–10Sn alloy is higher than that of as-cast Al–17Si alloy. The high wear resistance of spray formed Al–17Si–10Sn alloy is discussed in the light of its microstructural features and the nature of worn-out surfaces.