HARDNESS AND WEAR BEHAVIOURS OF Al MATRIX COMPOSITES AND HYBRID COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH B₄C AND SiC

Abstract

The conversion into the desired shape of the metal powders using Powder Metallurgy (PM) method enables economically mass productions. This case allows producing parts with complex and high dimensional accuracy with no machining. In this study the composites and hybrid composites with Al matrix were produced using PM method with different ratios B₄C and SiC. Microhardness and wear experiments of the produced composites were investigated. Wear experiments were performed at a constant speed of 0.5 m/s, application loads of 5, 10 and 15 N and sliding distances of 250, 500 and 750 m. Then, SEM images of composites and hybrid composites were captured. The increase of the reinforcement ratio in the composites contributed to the increase of the hardness. The highest hardness value was computed as 58.7 HV from 16% B₄C reinforced composite. In addition, the increase in the reinforcement ratio contributed to the increase of the wear resistance. The increase in the load and sliding distance also increased the wear. The minimum weight loss was calculated as 18 mg from 5 N load, 250 m sliding distance and 16% SiC reinforced composite.