The Relationship between Temperature and Reinforcement Amount in the Wear Performance of TiC Reinforced AMCs Produced by Mechanical Alloying Method

Abstract

In this study, the wear performance of TiC reinforced A356 matrix composite materials produced by the mechanical alloying method at high temperatures was investigated. As a solid lubricant, 2% graphite, and four different amounts (3, 6, 9, and 12%) of TiC were added to the A356 alloy matrix. The prepared powders were mechanically alloyed in a planetary mill for 4 h. The composite powders produced were cold shaped (750 MPa) to obtain green compacts. The green compacts produced were sintered at 550°C for 60 min in a vacuum environment of 10^–6 mbar. TiC reinforced AMCs have been characterized by microstructure, hardness, and density measurements. Wear tests were carried out in a standard pin on disc type wear tester by adding a temperature module. In wear tests, two different loads (10 and 30 N), five different temperatures (20, 100, 180, 260, and 340°C), and three different sliding distances (53, 72, and 94 m) have been used. As a result of microstructure studies, it has been observed that the reinforcement material exhibits a homogeneous distribution in the structure. In hardness and density measurements, the highest hardness and density were obtained in the composite material with 12% TiC added. As a result of wear tests, the lowest weight loss was obtained in the composite material with 12% TiC added at all operating temperatures.