Effect of Temperature on the Wear Behavior of Al-7Si-TiB₂ In-Situ Composites

In this article, the effect of temperature and load on the dry sliding wear behavior of an Al-7Si alloy reinforced with in-situ TiB₂ particles is reported. The coefficient of friction and wear rate of Al-7Si alloy and in-situ composites were measured using a high-temperature pin-on-disc apparatus. The wear tests were performed in the temperature range of 100 °C to 300 °C, at an applied load of 40 to 120 N. With increasing temperature, the wear rate of Al-7Si alloy increased drastically and it decreased with the increase in weight percent of TiB₂ particles. The transition from mild to severe wear for Al-7Si alloy was observed at 80, 60, and 40 N at temperatures of 100 °C, 150 °C, and 200 °C, respectively. The alloy reinforced with 5 wt pct of TiB₂ showed the transition at 120 N and 200 °C, and the transition load further decreased to 80 N at 300 °C. However, within the present experimental range of load, the addition of 10 wt pct of TiB₂ showed the transition only at 100 N and 300 °C. The addition of TiB₂ particles increases the wear resistance properties of Al-7Si alloy even at high temperature.