Three-body abrasive wear behaviour of aluminium alloys

Investigations were carried out on three-body abrasive wear behaviour on six aluminium alloys (AA1050, AA2014-T6, AA3003, AA5052, AA6061-T6 and AA6351-T6). Evaluation and comparison of the abrasion resistance of the aluminium alloys were carried out using silica sand of size 150-250 mm by dry sand rubber wheel (DSRW) test rig at room temperature. The tests were performed at constant rubber wheel sliding velocity (V = 2.4 m/s) at different loads (5-20 N). Abrasion studies reveal that abrasive wear increases with increase in load. The wear volume was found to be in linear relationship with sliding distance and the steady state behaviour of the materials was attained around a sliding distance of 5760 m. Correlation of abrasive wear rate with hardness, ultimate strength and percentage elongation at break are reported. Wear mechanisms involved in material removal process were studied with the aid of optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM).