Ultrasonic vibration-assisted scratch characteristics of silicon carbide-reinforced aluminum matrix composites

The material removal of silicon carbide particle-reinforced aluminum (SiCp/Al) matrix composites during ultrasonic vibration-assisted scratch (UVAS) and traditional scratch tests was investigated by examining scratch load, coefficient of friction (COF) and scratch morphology. It indicated that the loads during both the UVAS and traditional tests fluctuated obviously. The average loads of the UVAS processes were lower than those of the traditional scratches. The COF caused by the traditional scratch process was more stable and larger than that of the ultrasonic one. Large particles were observed in the grooves formed by the traditional scratch method, whereas small chips of SiC were found in the scratches formed by UVAS, which indicated that the material removal ratio was higher for the scratches formed by UVAS than that of scratches formed by the traditional method. Ultrasonic vibration played an important role in reducing the grinding force and COF, as well as improving the morphology of the machined surfaces.