Characterization of mechanical properties and three-body abrasive wear of functionally graded aluminum LM25/titanium carbide metal matrix composite

Several engineering components require location specific performance under operating conditions. A compositional/microstructural gradient can provide the performance required at specific locations and these materials were named as functionally graded materials. Functionally graded aluminium metal matrix composites were generally established for the tribo-components where high wear resistance was a necessity. Reports on three body abrasive wear behaviour of functionally graded materials was limited to date. In the present work, a new functionally graded system comprising aluminium/titanium carbide (10wt%) was produced through stir casting route followed by centrifugal casting technique and its three body abrasive wear behaviour was investigated. Hollow cylindrical part with the dimensions of length 150mm, outer diameter 150mm and thickness 16mm was obtained. Microstructural study was performed on outer (1mm) and inner surface (13mm) to analyze the compositional gradient across the thickness of the functionally graded composite. Hardness was measured on different surfaces along the radial distance from outer periphery and tensile test was conducted on the outer and inner zone. Abrasive wear test was conducted on different surfaces of the functionally graded composite under various loads and speeds at constant time. The microstructural results revealed that particle segregation was more at the outer surface and less at the inner surface. Wear test results showed that increase in wear rate was obtained with increase of load and decrease in wear rate was obtained with increase of speed. The outer surfaces of the functionally graded composite had greater mechanical properties and better wear resistance compared to other surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was done on the abraded surfaces and observed wear mechanisms were interpreted.