Effect of Thermo-Mechanical Processing and Heat Treatment on the Tribological Characteristics of Al Based MMC's

This paper reports on effect of forging and Heat Treatment on Tribological characteristics of aluminium alloy-silicon nitride. Cast aluminium alloy and composite were subjected to open die hot forging process. Alloy and its composites were examined to characteristics hardness and wear test under both primary and secondary processing conditions. Effect of heat treatment on hardness and tribological behaviour were also studied. Microstructure shows even spreading of particles in cast and forged conditions. hot forged alloy and composite shows a noticeable improvement in wear resistance and COF compare to their primary counter parts. Heat treatment has a considerable effect on hardness, friction and wear characteristics of composites. (paper)