Investigation on Volumetric Wear Behaviour of Zn Based Metal Composites with B4c Reinforcement for Sliding Contact Applications

Abstract

Over the last few decades, particle-reinforced Zn based metal matrix composites have begun to supplant monolithic Zn matrix. High strength to weight ratio, near-isotropic characteristics and cost are the key factors. The current research effort on "Investigation on sliding wear behaviour of Zn alloy reinforced with nano B4C composite" was done to analyze the mechanical, wear activities of a unique composite Zn-Sn alloyed with nano B4C based on the literature. The effect of nano-sized B4C particulates on Zn85-Tin 15alloy is investigated. Nano B4C particulates are employed as reinforcement. Instep of B4C 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% by weight, composites are manufactured utilizing a two-step approach method. On a pin-on-disc type wear testing machine, wear tests were performed on all specimens under various operational settings such as typical loads of 10N, 20N, 30N and 40N and sliding speeds of 1.4, 1.8, 2.3 and 2.8 m/s at 2000m sliding distance and 90mm track diameter. Each specimen was subjected to 16 wear tests, resulting in a total of 80 wear tests. As the usual load increases, the volumetric wear rate increases, the volumetric wear rate reduces as the sliding speed increases. Corresponding worn out surface, wear debris and EDS are reveled. The surface roughness and surface hardness values increase as the sliding speed increases.