Mechanism of material removal during tribological behaviour of aluminium matrix (Al–Zn–Mg–Cu) composites

In the present study an attempt is made to synthesise Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloy–SiC particle reinforced composite using liquid metallurgy route and to characterize the composites in terms of microstructure and sliding wear. It is to be noted that seizure pressure is enhanced by 37.5% due to the addition of 10 wt% of SiC particles in aluminium alloy. The wear mechanism is dictated by the formation and stability of oxide layer, mechanically mixed layer (MML) and subsurface deformation and cracking. There is also mutual transfer of pin surface and counter surface materials. The critical load at which MML gets removed is also examined. These phenomenon are represented schematically in this paper and the wear mechanism is explained.