The influence of interfacial characteristics between SiG(p) and Mg/Al metal matrix on wear, coefficient of friction and microhardness

The aim of the present investigation is to characterize the interface betwe en the SiCp as the reinforcement and Al and Mg metals of the metal matrix c omposites (MMCs) prepared through vacuum infiltration technique. The weight loss as an index of abrasive wear using pin-on-disc apparatus, the coeffic ient of friction, the microhardness value and the interparticle distance we re determined under dry conditions and these results were correlated to cha racterize the interface as a function of properties of metal and the reinfo rcement. The results of the investigation indicate that interparticle dista nce in cast infiltrated composites strongly influences the tribological pro perties of these composites. Microhardness on the reinforcement particles a nd interparticle distance are good indicators of the strength of the interf ace between particle and the matrix. Magnesium base composites in general s how better wettability as compared to the aluminium base composites. Coatin g of SiCp reinforcements with Ni and Cu generally leads to good quality int erface characteristics in Al matrix composite as both microhardness and wea r properties are improved. Oxidized SiCp reinforcements behave in complex m anner in influencing the interfacial characteristics in aluminium/magnesium matrix composites possibly due to the formation of reaction product at the interface. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.