Dry sliding wear behaviour of AlSi-CNTs-SiCp hybrid composites

The aim of this paper was to examine the wear behaviour of a hybrid AlSi-2wt%CNTs-5wt%SiCp composite. For comparison purposes the unreinforced AlSi alloy, AlSi-2%wtCNTs and AlSi-5wt%SiCp composites were used. A powder metallurgy processing route was used to produce the unreinforced AlSi alloy and AlSi composites. Dry reciprocating pin-on-plate wear tests were performed and the results showed that the wear behaviour was improved for all produced composites when compared to the unreinforced AlSi alloy. However the best wear behaviour was achieved in the case of AlSi hybrid composite. This improvement is attributed to the combine effects of both constituent reinforcements. The dominant wear mechanisms were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with X-Ray Energy Dispersive Spectrometry analysis.