Study of Friction Behavior in Aluminum-Based Composites Reinforced with B4C, SiC, and Al2O3 Particles

Abstract

In this research, five types of aluminum-based composites with 20% reinforcing particles of B₄C, SiC, and Al₂O₃, as well as dual-phase combinations of SiC/B₄C and B₄C / Al₂O₃, were fabricated using the powder metallurgy method. A single-stage hot extrusion process was performed on these composites. Friction tests were conducted on each of these specimens, and the results, including wear rate and coefficient of friction, were graphically represented. These results were compared with the properties of pure aluminum. Additionally, some of the extrusion and compression parameters were investigated. The obtained results indicate that by adding ceramic particles, the wear rate is significantly reduced compared to pure aluminum made by the same method. Furthermore, the coefficient of friction of the specimens is lower compared to pure aluminum. Among the ceramic reinforcement particles, two types of composites, Al-20% SiC and Al-20% B₄C, showed better results than the other composites. In most tests, they exhibited the lowest values in terms of wear rate and coefficient of friction. The increase or decrease in the coefficient of friction and wear rate is subject to an extreme condition with respect to vertical force or sliding velocity, the values of which depend on the friction test parameters.