Correlation between the abrasive ability of ceramic reinforced amorphous metal matrix composites and the adhesion energy between the amorphous matrix and the ceramic particles

Ceramic reinforced amorphous metal matrix composite ribbons have been produced by the melt spinning method from Fe40Ni40Si6B14 matrix and particles made of two different carbides (SiC and WC). The wear properties of the composite ribbons produced were examined. The tests proved that composite ribbons with WC particles have higher abrasive ability compared with those with SiC particles of the same size. The sessile drop method was used to measure contact angles and adhesion energies of the Fe40Ni40Si6B14 liquid alloy on ceramic samples made of SiC and WC at 1300 K. The adhesion energy between the Fe40Ni40Si6B14 liquid (and solid, amorphous) matrix and WC particles is about 5 times higher than between the same matrix and SiC particles. Therefore a higher abrasive ability of ribbons with WC and a higher adhesion energy between the matrix and WC is experimentally found. The correlation between these two properties is explained.