Effect of Ni content on the wear behavior of Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni/SiC particles composites

Abstract

In recent years, the addition of Ni has been widely acknowledged to be capable of enhancing the mechanical properties of Al-Si alloys. However, the effect of Ni on the wear behaviors of Al-Si alloys and Al matrix composites, particularly at elevated temperatures, remains an understudied area. In this study, Al-Si-Cu-Mg-Ni/20wt% SiC particles (SiCp) composites with varying Ni contents were prepared by using a semisolid stir casting method. The effect of Ni content on the dry sliding wear behavior of the prepared composites was investigated through sliding tests at 25 and 350°C. Results indicated that the θ-Al₂Cu phase gradually diminished and eventually disappeared as the Ni content increased from 0wt% to 3wt%. This change was accompanied by the formation and increase in δ-Al₃CuNi and ε-Al₃Ni phases in microstructures. The hardness and ultimate tensile strength of the as-cast composites improved, and the wear rates of the composites decreased from 5.29 × 10⁻⁴ to 1.94 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/(N·m) at 25°C and from 20.2 × 10⁻⁴ to 7 × 10⁻⁴ mm³/(N·m) at 350°C with the increase in Ni content from 0wt% to 2wt%. The enhancement in performance was due to the presence of strengthening network structures and additional Ni-containing phases in the composites. However, the wear rate of the 3Ni composite was approximately two times higher than that of the 2Ni composite due to the fracture and debonding of the ε-Al₃Ni phase. Abrasive wear, delamination wear, and oxidation wear were the predominant wear mechanisms of the investigated composites at 25°C, whereas delamination wear and oxidation wear were dominant during sliding at 350°C.

Keywords

Al matrix composite / microstructure / sliding test / high temperature / wear mechanism

References

[[1]] Şenel MC, Kanca Y, Gürbüz M. Reciprocating sliding wear properties of sintered Al-B₄C composites. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2022, 29(6): 1261,

[[2]] Huang CY, Hu SP, Chen K. Influence of rolling temperature on the interfaces and mechanical performance of graphene-reinforced aluminum-matrix composites. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2019, 26(6): 752,

[[3]] Kaushik NC, Rao RN. The effect of wear parameters and heat treatment on two body abrasive wear of Al-SiC-Gr hybrid composites. Tribol. Int., 2016, 96: 184,

[[4]] Kaushik NC, Rao RN. Effect of grit size on two body abrasive wear of Al6082 hybrid composites produced by stir casting method. Tribol. Int., 2016, 102: 52,

[[5]] Safary E, Taghiabadi R, Ghoncheh MH. Mechanical properties of Al-15Mg₂Si composites prepared under different solidification cooling rates. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2022, 29(6): 1249,

[[6]] Xia HM, Zhang L, Zhu YC, et al.. Mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced 7075 aluminum alloy composite fabricated by spark plasma sintering. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 2020, 27(9): 1295,

[[7]] Kai XZ, Li ZQ, Fan GL, et al.. Enhanced strength and ductility in particulate-reinforced aluminum matrix composites fabricated by flake powder metallurgy. Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2013, 587: 46,

[[8]] M.Y. Zhou, L.B. Ren, L.L. Fan, et al., Progress in research on hybrid metal matrix composites, J. Alloys Compd., 838(2020), art. No. 155274.

[[9]] Z.M. Zhang, G.L. Fan, Z.Q. Tan, et al., Towards the strength-ductility synergy of Al₂O₃/Al composite through the design of roughened interface, Compos. Part B, 224(2021), art. No. 109251.

[[10]] N.C. Kaushik and R.N. Rao, Influence of applied load on abrasive wear depth of hybrid Gr/SiC/Al-Mg-Si composites in a two-body condition, J. Tribol., 139(2017), No. 6, art. No. 061601.

[[11]] Kumar S, Panwar RS, Pandey OP. Effect of dual reinforced ceramic particles on high temperature tribological properties of aluminum composites. Ceram. Int., 2013, 39(6): 6333,

[[12]] D.X. Mao, X.C. Meng, Y.M. Xie, et al., Strength-ductility balance strategy in SiC reinforced aluminum matrix composites via deformation-driven metallurgy, J. Alloys Compd., 891(2022), art. No. 162078.

[[13]] W. Zhang and J. Xu, Advanced lightweight materials for Automobiles: A review, Mater. Des., 221(2022), art. No. 110994.

[[14]] Hassan AM, Alrashdan A, Hayajneh MT, Mayyas AT. Wear behavior of Al-Mg-Cu-based composites containing SiC particles. Tribol. Int., 2009, 42(8): 1230,

[[15]] Lin F, Wang J, Wu H, et al.. Synergistic effects of TiC and graphene on the microstructure and tribological properties of Al2024 matrix composites. Adv. Powder Technol., 2021, 32(10): 3635,

[[16]] Singh RK, Telang A, Das S. Microstructure, mechanical properties and two-body abrasive wear behaviour of hypereutectic Al-Si-SiC composite. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China, 2020, 30(1): 65,

[[17]] Sun ZQ, Zhang D, Li GB. Evaluation of dry sliding wear behavior of silicon particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites. Mater. Des., 2005, 26(5): 454,

[[18]] Diler EA, Ipek R. Main and interaction effects of matrix particle size, reinforcement particle size and volume fraction on wear characteristics of Al-SiC_p composites using central composite design. Compos. Part B, 2013, 50: 371,

[[19]] Ghandvar H, Idris MH, Ahmad N, Moslemi N. Microstructure development, mechanical and tribological properties of a semisolid A356/xSiCp composite. J. Appl. Res. Technol., 2017, 15(6): 533,

[[20]] Yalcin Y, Akbulut H. Dry wear properties of A356-SiC particle reinforced MMCs produced by two melting routes. Mater. Des., 2006, 27(10): 872,

[[21]] D. Li, K. Liu, J. Rakhmonov, and X.G. Chen, Enhanced thermal stability of precipitates and elevated-temperature properties via microalloying with transition metals (Zr, V and Sc) in Al-Cu 224 cast alloys, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 827(2021), art. No. 142090.

[[22]] Puncreobutr C, Lee PD, Kareh KM, Connolley T, Fife JL, Phillion AB. Influence of Fe-rich intermetallics on solidification defects in Al-Si-Cu alloys. Acta Mater., 2014, 68: 42,

[[23]] Rakhmonov J, Timelli G, Bonollo F. Characterization of the solidification path and microstructure of secondary Al-7Si-3Cu-0.3Mg alloy with Zr, V and Ni additions. Mater. Charact., 2017, 128: 100,

[[24]] Tan H, Wang S, Yu Y, et al.. Friction and wear properties of Al-20Si-5Fe-2Ni-graphite solid-lubricating composite at elevated temperatures. Tribol. Int., 2018, 122: 228,

[[25]] Zuo LJ, Ye B, Feng J, Xu XJ, Kong XY, Jiang HY. Effect of S-Al₃CuNi phase and thermal exposure on microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si-Cu-Ni alloys. J. Alloys Compd., 2019, 791: 1015,

[[26]] J. Rakhmonov, K. Liu, L. Pan, F. Breton, and X.G. Chen, Enhanced mechanical properties of high-temperature-resistant Al-Cu cast alloy by microalloying with Mg, J. Alloys Compd., 827(2020), art. No. 154305.

[[27]] Yang HL, Ji SX, Fan ZY. Effect of heat treatment and Fe content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of die-cast Al-Si-Cu alloys. Mater. Des., 2015, 85: 823,

[[28]] Zuo LJ, Ye B, Feng J, Kong XY, Jiang HY, Ding WJ. Effect of Q-Al₅Cu₂Mg₈Si₆ phase on mechanical properties of Al-Si-Cu-Mg alloy at elevated temperature. Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2017, 693: 26,

[[29]] Liu Q, Liu MW, Xu C, et al.. Effects of Sr, Ce and P on the microstructure and mechanical properties of rapidly solidified Al-7Si alloys. Mater. Charact., 2018, 140: 290,

[[30]] Xu C, Xiao WL, Zheng RX, Hanada S, Yamagata H, Ma CL. The synergic effects of Sc and Zr on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al-Si-Mg alloy. Mater. Des., 2015, 88: 485,

[[31]] Timelli G, Caliari D, Rakhmonov J. Influence of process parameters and Sr addition on the microstructure and casting defects of LPDC A356 alloy for engine blocks. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2016, 32(6): 515,

[[32]] Shaha SK, Czerwinski F, Kasprzak W, Chen DL. Tensile and compressive deformation behavior of the Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloy with additions of Zr, V and Ti. Mater. Des., 2014, 59: 352,

[[33]] Shaha SK, Czerwinski F, Kasprzak W, Friedman J, Chen DL. Thermal stability of (AlSi)_x(ZrVTi) intermetallic phases in the Al-Si-Cu-Mg cast alloy with additions of Ti, V, and Zr. Thermochim. Acta, 2014, 595: 11,

[[34]] Feng J, Ye B, Zuo LJ, et al.. Effects of Ni content on low cycle fatigue and mechanical properties of Al-12Si-0.9Cu-0.8Mg-xNi at 350°C. Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2017, 706: 27,

[[35]] Li YG, Yang Y, Wu YY, Wang LY, Liu XF. Quantitative comparison of three Ni-containing phases to the elevated-temperature properties of Al-Si piston alloys. Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 2010, 527(26): 7132,

[[36]] Ma Y, Addad A, Ji G, et al.. Atomic-scale investigation of the interface precipitation in a TiB₂ nanoparticles reinforced Al-Zn-Mg-Cu matrix composite. Acta Mater., 2020, 185: 287,

[[37]] Asghar Z, Requena G, Boller E. Three-dimensional rigid multiphase networks providing high-temperature strength to cast AlSi10Cu5Ni1–2 piston alloys. Acta Mater., 2011, 59(16): 6420, pmcid: 3163264

[[38]] Asghar Z, Requena G, Degischer HP, Cloetens P. Three-dimensional study of Ni aluminides in an AlSi12 alloy by means of light optical and synchrotron microtomography. Acta Mater., 2009, 57(14): 4125,

[[39]] Y.Y. Liu, L.N. Jia, W.B. Wang, Z.H. Jin, and H. Zhang, Effects of Ni content on microstructure and wear behavior of Al-13Si-3Cu-1Mg-xNi-0.6Fe-0.6Mn alloys, Wrar, 500–501(2022), art. No. 204365.

[[40]] Shi Z, Ochiai S, Gu M, Hojo M, Lee JC. The formation and thermostability of MgO and MgAl₂O₄ nanoparticles in oxidized SiC particle-reinforced Al-Mg composites. Appl. Phys. A, 2002, 74(1): 97,

[[41]] Ureña A, Martínez EE, Rodrigo P, Gil L. Oxidation treatments for SiC particles used as reinforcement in aluminium matrix composites. Compos. Sci. Technol., 2004, 64(12): 1843,

[[42]] Y. Xing, N.Y. Li, C.J. Li, et al., Effects of size and oxidation treatment for SiC particles on the microstructures and mechanical properties of SiC_p/Al composites prepared by powder metallurgy, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 851(2022), art. No. 143664.

[[43]] Archard JF. Contact and rubbing of flat surfaces. J. Appl. Phys., 1953, 24(8): 981,

[[44]] Moazami-Goudarzi M, Akhlaghi F. Wear behavior of Al5252 alloy reinforced with micrometric and nanometric SiC particles. Tribol. Int., 2016, 102: 28,

[[45]] Subramanian C. Some considerations towards the design of a wear resistant aluminium alloy. Wear, 1992, 155(1): 193,

[[46]] Wang L, Dong BX, Qiu F, et al.. Dry sliding friction and wear characterization of in situ TiC/Al-Cu_3.7–Mg_1.3 nanocomposites with nacre-like structures. J. Mater. Res. Technol., 2020, 9(1): 641,