High temperature sliding wear behavior of press-extruded AA6061/fly ash composite

The effect of fly ash particulate on high temperature dry sliding wear resistance of AA6061, developed by powder metallurgy and hot extrusion, was studied. The dry sliding wear behavior of the prepared composite was investigated by using pin-on-disc method at an applied load of 14.6 N for various temperatures (100, 200 and 300 °C). The study at room temperature was also carried out for comparison purpose. The results had shown transition from mild-to-severe wear for unreinforced alloy in the temperature range of 200-300 °C. With the addition of fly ash to AA6061, the mild-to-severe wear transition was not noticed even up to 300 °C. This behavior was attributable to the formation of protective transfer layers of comminuted reinforcing particulates and transferred steel debris from slider counterpaces. The absence of severe wear phenomena in this composite was due to the “particulate hardening” of subsurface layer in the temperature range investigated.