FRICTION AND WEAR OF AL-SI ALLOYS

Wear is one of the most serious industrial problems, which leads to the replacement of components and reduces operating efficiency. The friction and wear of Al-Si alloys blocks, made of between 8 and 16\% Si, sliding against ductile iron rings, have been studied under various sliding speeds, from 0.63 to 1.89 m/s and loads, from 80 to 120 N using a Timken machine. The effect of Si on friction coefficient and wear rate were investigated. The test results showed that friction coefficient and wear rate appeared to be lowest at near eutectic composition (Al-14\% Si). The magnitudes of friction coefficient and wear rates were increased as composition rates varied from eutectic composition. Tests also showed that the increase in speeds was acclimated with a decrease in the friction coefficient. The change in wear rate by increasing Si content corresponds to a change infriction coefficient of the same alloys under identical loads and speeds.