Influence of forging and heat treatment on wear properties of Al-Si and Al-Pb bearing alloys in oil lubricated conditions

The tribological behaviours of aluminium-based bearing alloys with different compositions, forged and heat treated materials, were investigated in oil lubricated conditions. Tested materials were Al-8.5Si-3.5Cu and Al-15Pb-3.7Cu-1.5Si-1.1Fe. The effects of hardness, heat treatment and forging on wear behaviours of the tested materials were investigated. In forging process, 10%-20% strains were applied. Heat treatment (T6) was performed to the materials. The wear tests of all specimens were performed with a pin- on-disc wear test machine. Forging process increased hardness value of the tested materials. A forging strain of 10%-20% has no significant effect on mass loss.