Dry friction and wear performance of co-continuous Al-23Si/SiC composites

The dry friction and wear behaviour of co-continuous Al-23Si/SiC composites were evaluated using a MMD-1 wear testing machine under the testing conditions of various sliding distance, load and rotation rate. The worn surfaces as well as the wear debris were photographed using optical microscope and scanning electron microscope. The experimental results show that the wear behaviour of the composites contains running-in stage and steady state, the wear mass loss increases in accordance with the growth of sliding distance, load and rotation rate. The composites whose SiC framework is with small pore have better wear resistance than that of the one with big pore. The composites exhibit superior friction and wear performance over the matrix material. The wear mechanisms of co-continuous Al-23Si/SiC composites are adhesive wear, abrasive wear, surface fatigue wear and oxidation wear. The wear mechanisms of matrix material are severe adhesive wear and oxidation wear.