Influence of fly ash particles on dry sliding wear behaviour of AA6061 aluminium alloy

In the present study AA6061 aluminium alloy composites containing 0, 4, 8 and 12 wt.% of fly ash particles have been fabricated by the compocasting process. The dry sliding wear behaviour of unreinforced alloy and composites are studied using pin-on-disc machine. The dry sliding wear test was conducted under a load of 4.9, 9.8, 14.7, 19.6, and 24.5 N, sliding velocity of 1.57 m s^-1, sliding distance of 4000 m and a track radius of 100 mm at an ambient temperature respectively for all the tests. Results indicate that the dry sliding wear resistance of Al-fly ash composite increases with an increase of fly ash content. The load bearing capacity of the AA6061 alloy during dry sliding wear has increased in the presence of fly ash particles. Composites exhibit better wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloy up to a load of 24.5 N. Study of the wear surfaces and debris of both alloy and composites using the scanning electron microscope suggests that at high loads (> 4.9 N), where fly ash particles act as load bearing constituents, the wear resistance of AA6061 Al alloy reinforced with a size range (2-3 μm) fly ash particles.