Microstructure and wear properties of Al–Pb–Cu alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

In the present work, Al–10 wt.% Pb–x wt.% Cu (x=0–5.5) powder mixtures were mechanically alloyed. Then the mechanically alloyed powders were sintered to fabricate bulk alloys. Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffractometer and Vickers hardness indentation were used to characterize the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Al–10 wt.% Pb–x wt.% Cu alloys. Wear properties of the alloys were characterized by measuring the bulk wear under dry lubrication condition. By comparing the microstructure and wear properties of mechanically alloyed Al–10 wt.% Pb–x wt.% Cu alloys with that of mechanically alloyed Al–Pb alloy, the effect of Cu addition on microstructure and wear properties has been discussed. The present work shows that the wear properties of Al–10 wt.% Pb–x wt.% Cu alloys are the best at the composition of Al–10% Pb–4.5% Cu under the present experiment condition.