Sliding Wear Behavior of Al-Si/Graphite Composite

In the present investigation, wear behavior of aluminum silicon alloy and its composites reinforced with graphite particulates (3 wt. %) fabricated using a stir casting route were examined. In order to improve the wettability of graphite with matrix alloy, graphite particulates were separately ball milled with 2% Cu and 2% Ni by weight percentage, preheated to 400 degrees C, and incorporated into the molten metal. The uniform distribution of graphite particulates was observed in the microstructural investigation of developed composites, which resulted in more wear resistance than that of the matrix alloy. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of wear surface and wear debris supported the wear behavior of both the matrix alloy and the composites.