Effect of magnesium addition on wear behaviour of Al - 70 vol.-% Al₂O_3p composites

In this study, dry sliding and abrasive wear behaviour of Al - 70 vol.-%Al₂O₃ particulate composite alloyed with Mg was examined. The composites were produced by a pressure infiltration casting technique. The composition of the matrix varied between 0 and 8 wt-%Mg, and the diameter of the Al₂O₃ particulates was 60 μm. Dry sliding wear tests were carried out on an unlubricated M2 quality high speed tool steel disc by a pin on disc type wear tester. Abrasive wear tests were run by rubbing the composites on abrasive Al₂O₃ grains. The results of the wear tests revealed that, both dry sliding and abrasive wear resistance of the composites increased with increasing Mg content in the matrix.