Sliding wear behaviour of Al 6063/TiB2 in situ composites at elevated temperatures

A low cost system of Al 6063 - xTiB(2) (x = 0, 5, 10 wt.%) in situ metal matrix composites (MMCs) were prepared by the reaction mixture of K2TiF6 and KBF4 with molten alloy. These in situ prepared composites were characterized by using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer, and microhardness analysis. The dry sliding wear behaviour of the prepared composite was investigated by using a Pin on Disc method at different applied loads of 9.8, 19.6 and 29.4 N for various temperatures (100, 200 and 300 degrees C). The study at room temperature was also carried out for comparison purpose. The results indicate that the wear rate decreases with the increase in the weight percentage of TiB2, while it increases with the increase in the applied load. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.