Wear behavior of hot extruded Al6061 based composites

Metal matrix composites are gaining widespread popularity in several technological fields owing to their several advantages. Metal matrix composites are primarily processed by several routes such as powder metallurgy, vortex method, infiltration, spray deposition and squeeze casting. The mechanical and wear properties of these primarily processed composites have been evaluated and well understood. However, in recent years, the secondary processes of composites has been gaining impetus as these processes such as extrusion, rolling and forging have profound impact on improvement in mechanical properties and wear resistance of primary processed composites. In the light of the above, the present work is aimed at investigating the wear behavior of hot extruded Al6061 based composites. SiC, Al2O3 and cerium oxide have been used as the reinforcements. Composites have been primarily processed by vortex method as it is highly versatile and economical. The cast composites have been subjected to hot extrusion at a temperature of 550 °C. Microstructural studies, microhardness and wear test under different loads and sliding velocities have been conducted on both cast and extruded composites. The worn surfaces have been observed under SEM to understand the mechanism of wear. Extruded composites possess higher microhardness and lower wear rates under all studied loads and sliding velocities when compared with cast composites.