Abrasive Wear Behaviour of Al-Si-Graphite Composite Under Heat-Treated Condition

Composites were prepared from commercially available scrap piston by dispersing copper coated graphite particulates by stir casting, followed by heat treatment of the composite. Abrasive wear tests were conducted on the composites and the matrix alloy both before and after heat treatment. The test duration was 30min while coarse silicon carbide abrasive wheels were used. Wear was measured as weight loss of the specimen using digital weighing machine of accuracy 0.001gms. The worn surfaces were subjected to SEM analysis. Addition of graphite particulates followed by heat treatment has resulted in uniform distribution of graphite in the matrix alloy and improved abrasive wear resistance of the cast Al-Si-graphite composites.