Study of wear on anodised PM Aluminium Matrix composite reinforced with 15 wt % Saffil Alumina Short Fibre

Abstract

A study of wear behaviour on anodised powder metallurgy aluminium matrix composites (PM AMC) reinforced with Saffil™ alumina short fibres was done. AMC was fabricated by powder metallurgy methods (PM) with using Al flake powders and Saffil™ alumina short fibres. PM AMC reinforced with 15 wt% Saffil™ alumina short fibre was selected because it showed optimum mechanical and physical properties. Sulphuric acid anodising process was carried out with 15% concentration of sulphuric acid concentrations, 18 V anodising voltage and 60 minutes anodising time at room temperature. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate coating morphology and thickness. The pin on disk test was used for wear testing with 1 kg load in 150 rpm rotating speed. This reserch was found that H2S04 anodising was able to give good coating to MMC. The AMC showed lower wear rate compared to the Al samples. Anodising process will be reduced 59% and 13% wear coefficient of Al and AMC. The research was found that H2SO4 anodising was able to give good coating to AMC and give good wear resistance.