Sliding wear behavior of some Al-Si alloys: Role of shape and size of Si particles and test conditions

Abstract

In this investigation, effects of the shape and size of silicon particles have been studied on the sliding wear response of two Al-Si alloys, namely, LM13 and LM29. The LM13 alloy comprised 11.70 pct Si, 1.02 pct Cu, 1.50 pct Ni, 1.08 pct Mg, 0.70 pct Fe, 0.80 pct Mn, and remainder Al. The LM29 alloy contained 23.25 pct Si, 0.80 pct Cu, 1.10 pct Ni, 1.21 pct Mg, 0.71 pct Fe, 0.61 pct Mn, and remainder Al. Wear tests were conducted under the conditions of varying sliding speed and applied pressure. The alloys were also characterized for their microstructural features and mechanical properties. The presence of primary silicon particles in the alloy led to a higher hardness but lower tensile properties. Further, refinement in the size of the primary particles improved the mechanical properties of the alloy system. The wear behavior of the alloys was influenced by the presence of primary Si particles and was a function of their size. Samples with refined but identical microconstituents (e.g., pressure cast vs gravity cast LM29 in terms of the size of primary Si particles and dendritic arm spacing) exhibited better wear characteristics. Their overall effect was further controlled by the test conditions. It was observed that test conditions leading to the generation of an optimal degree of frictional heating offer the best wear resistance. This was attributed to the reduced microcracking tendency of the alloy system otherwise introduced by the Si particles. The reduced microcracking tendency in turn allows the Si phase to carry load more effectively and impart better thermal stability to the alloy system. This caused improved wear resistance under the circumstances. Further, the primary Si particles improved the wear resistance of the alloy system (e.g., gravity-cast LM29 vs gravity-cast LM13) under high operating temperature conditions. Additional thermal stability and protection offered to the matrix by the primary Si phase, under the conditions of reduced microcracking tendency, were the reasons for the improved wear characteristics of the alloy system. Conversely, a reverse effect was produced at low operating temperatures in view of the predominating microcracking tendency. The study suggests that shape, size, microcracking tendency, and thermal stability of different microconstituents greatly control the mechanical and tribological properties of these alloys. The extent of effective load transfer between the phases plays an important role in this regard. Further, the overall effect of these factors is significantly governed by the test conditions.