Microstructural and Wear Behavior of Al2014-Alumina Composites with Varying Alumina Content

The current research work primarily focuses on synthesizing and exploring Al2014 alloy microstructure and wear behavior reinforced with 20 mu m Al2O3 (alumina) particles. A novel two-stage stir casting (melt stirring) technique is adopted to produce the composites, and the weight percentage of reinforcement is maintained at 9, 12, and 15 to know the effect of varying weight percentage on microstructure and wear behavior. To achieve better dispersion, alumina particles have been introduced in two stages. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microscope/energy-dispersive spectroscope (EDX) are used to characterize the prepared composites. In the Al2014 matrix, microstructural characterization showed a fairly uniform dispersion of Al2O3p. The presence of alumina is confirmed by the XRD pattern carried out on the produced composite (Al2014-15 wt.% Al2O3p). Wear properties of as-cast Al2014 alloy and composites (Al2014-Al2O3p) at 9, 12, and 15 wt.% have been studied. Dry sliding wear tests have been conducted over a load range of 9.81 N-49.05 N and sliding speed of 100-600 RPM using pin-on-disk machine. Results revealed the frictional coefficient of as-cast Al2014 alloy and produced composites increase with an increase in load up to 49.05 N. Nevertheless, the frictional coefficient of both as-cast Al2014 alloy and produced composite increase continuously by increasing the speed. The wear rate of both Al2014 matrix alloy and Al2014-Al2O3 reinforced composite increase with the increase in load and sliding speed. To know the possible wear mechanisms, worn surface and wear debris have been studied by using electron microscopy and EDS examination to specify the formation of the oxides.

Automated summary

The research focuses on synthesizing and exploring Al2014 alloy microstructure and wear behavior reinforced with 20 µm Al2O3 particles. A two-stage stir casting technique is used to produce composites with varying weight percentages of reinforcement. The study reveals that the addition of Al2O3 particles can enhance microstructure and improve wear behavior of Al2014 alloy.