Improvement in the resistance of aluminum with yttria particles to sliding wear in air and in a corrosive medium

Effects of yttria addition on the performance of aluminum during sliding wear, friction, corrosion and corrosive wear were evaluated with the aim at enhancing Al alloys against corrosive wear using compounds of oxygen-active elements. The sliding wear and friction tests were performed in air and in a dilute HNO3 solution on a pin-on-disc tribometer. Worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical properties, including micro-hardness and elastic modulus, of the Y2O3-containing aluminum were determined using nano/micro-indentation instruments. The performance of the Y2O3-containing aluminum was compared to those of Y-containing aluminum, pure aluminum and 6061 Al alloy. The experimental results showed that yttria considerably improved the resistance of aluminum to corrosion, corrosive wear and dry sliding wear, respectively.