High-Temperature Dry Sliding Wear Behavior of Al–12Si–CuNiMg Alloy and its Al₂O₃ Fiber-Reinforced Composite

The high-temperature dry sliding wear behavior of an Al–12Si–CuNiMg alloy and its composite reinforced with Al₂O₃ fibers are investigated at 27 °C, 100 °C, 200 °C, and 300 °C. Wear tests are conducted under a constant sliding velocity of 1 m/s and various normal loads ranging from 2.5 to 10 N. To investigate the influence of temperature on the wear mechanisms, the worn surfaces of the matrix alloy and composite surfaces are carefully examined using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. At 100–200 °C, the wear resistance of the composite increases, with the highest resistance recorded at 200 °C. The wear resistance decreases with the increase in the temperature from 200 to 300 °C. The wear resistance of the matrix alloy decreases as the temperature increases from 200 to 300 °C; however, it does not exhibit better wear resistance than the composite in the same temperature range. Furthermore, the friction coefficients of these two materials are discussed. The worn surface analysis performed at different temperatures indicates that the dominant wear mechanisms of both materials are related to adhesion and delamination under the chosen test conditions.