DRY SLIDING WEAR BEHAVIOUR OF AZ31/ZrO2 COMPOSITES PRODUCED USING A STIR CASTING PROCESS

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of ZrO2 reinforcement (5, 10 and 15)  vol.% on the dry sliding wear behaviour of AZ31 Mg alloy composites produced using stir casting. The wear test (pin on disc) was conducted at different loads of (10, 20, 30 and 40) N and sliding velocities of (1, 3 and 5) m/s. The variation in the wear rate and friction co-efficient with the change in the load at a constant sliding distance was determined. Results showed that the composites exhibited a lower wear rate at higher loads and speeds compared to the AZ31 alloy. In particular, AZ31-15  vol.% ZrO2 composite showed the lowest wear rate and friction coefficient. Different wear mechanisms operating during the wear test were investigated using SEM and XRD.