Effect of the percentage of reinforcement on the wear in the metal matrix composites sintered with abnormal glow discharge

In this study an analysis of the behavior of dry wear coefficient of a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) in 316 stainless steel reinforced with particles of titanium carbide (TiC) according to ASTM G 99 standards, in a pin-on-disk test. In this research it is tested the effect of the percentage of reinforcement in the MMC manufactured with 3, 6 y 9% (vol.) of TiC, in samples compacted at 800 MPa, generating different values of grain size, hardness and density, they are sintered with abnormal glow discharge, at a temperature of 1200 degree centigrade ±5 degree centigrade, with a protection atmosphere H₂ - N₂ and a permanence time of 30 minutes. According to the results obtained it is concluded that the best condition for the MMC manufacturing, in relation to the reinforcement percentage, is the one obtained when the mixture contains 6% of TiC compacted at 800 MPa. In these conditions, it was obtained: achieving smaller grain size, the greater hardness and the lowest coefficient of friction. In this respect, it was observed that the incorporation of the ceramic particles (TiC) in a matrix of austenitic steel (316) shows significant improvements in the resistance to the wear. (Author)