Severe-to-mild wear transition at higher temperatures in Al-17Si-5Cu alloy after short-duration isothermal heat treatment

ABSTRACTThe wear behaviour of hypereutectic Al–Si alloys, which are suitable for use in automobile engines as a replacement for cast iron, has not been explored at higher temperatures. In the present study, the wear behaviour of Al-17Si-5Cu alloy (AR alloy) has been studied in as-received condition as well as after applying a short-duration isothermal heat treatment developed by the present research team. It was found that AR alloy exhibits severe wear, whereas heat-treated alloy (HT alloy) shows mild wear at higher temperatures (up to 300°C) at all applied loads. This severe-to-mild wear transition is addressed here.