Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of AA7075 – Al₂SiO₅ Layered Nanoparticle Material at Different Temperature Condition

To evaluate AA7075 (aluminium alloy) and its nanocomposites reinforced with (SiO₂ + Al₂O₃) Al₂SiO₅ layered nanoparticle as possible material for high temperature wear condition, materials were tested under different temperatures (313 K, 353 K, 393 K and 433 K) respectively. High temperature wear tests were carried out at a constant load of 24.5 N, sliding speed of 3.14 m/s and distance of 2000 m respectively. This enabled to understand the effect of reinforcement at high temperature and its wear mechanisms of AA7075 / nanocomposite materials. The worn surface topography was carefully inspected using field emission – scanning electron microscope, X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy and optical metallurgical microscope. At the testing temperature range of 433 K wear resistance of the nanocomposites is increased, compared to AA7075 matrix material. The friction coefficient of the matrix and nanocomposite materials are deliberated. Based on the worn surface analysis, high temperature condition wear mechanisms of the nanocomposites are adhesive wear, delamination wear and oxidation wear.