Improvement in tensile strength and load bearing capacity during dry wear of Al–7Si alloy by combined grain refinement and modification

Dry sliding wear and tensile studies have been conducted on Al–7Si alloy after various melt treatments like grain refinement and/or modification. Combined grain refinement and modification not only increases the tensile strength and wear resistance but also significantly enhances the load bearing capacity of the alloy during dry sliding wear. The paper attempts to correlate the microstructural changes in the alloy on grain refinement and modification to the wear and tensile properties.