Dry friction and wear properties of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with 3D-network ceramics

A new 3D-network ceramics(skeleton) reinforced aluminum alloy composites was designed and fabricated. The dry friction and wear behaviors of aluminum matrix composites were investigated. The friction coefficients and wear rates of the aluminum alloy and composites reinforced with ceramics of different volume fractions were measured at various temperatures and loads. The worn surface morphologies of the aluminum alloy and its composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope, and the effect of the 3D-network ceramics on the wear mechanisms were discussed accordingly. As the results, the composites has much better wear-resistance than the aluminum alloy has. The improvement in the wear-resistance of the composites became more prominent at higher ceramics volume fraction, high temperature, and large normal load. Moreover, the composites registered higher and more stable friction coefficients with increasing normal load. This was more apparent at elevated temperature. It was supposed that the 3D network ceramics was able to support the load applied onto the sliding surface and not only to restrict the plastic deformation and high-temperature softening of the alloy matrix, but also to protect the oxide film(Al_2O_3) on the worn surface, thus the composites showed greater improvement wear-resistance than the aluminum alloy did.