Wear Equation of AA7050 Aluminium Composites Reinforced with Graphite Particles Produced by Stir Casting

Abstract

This research investigates the wear behaviour of aluminium-based composites reinforced with graphite particles produced by stir casting. The objectives include evaluating the effect of graphite reinforcement on wear resistance, analysing wear mechanisms and developing a wear equation to predict the wear rate of the composites. The wear rate of composites rose as the proportion of graphite reinforcement increased due to the decrease in material hardness caused by the integration of graphite, which is a comparatively soft substance when compared to the matrix. The presence of graphite particles also resulted in abrasive wear mechanisms, in which the particles served as abrasives, producing additional material loss and increasing the wear rate. The study revealed that higher load and sliding velocities resulted in higher wear rates because they create higher contact pressures and strains at the contact interface, resulting in more severe wear mechanisms and higher wear rates. The developed wear equation, which incorporates the effects of graphite reinforcement, load, sliding velocity and material hardness, can be used to predict the wear rate of these composites.