G0400403 Wear behavior of pitch-based carbon fiber reinforced aluminum composite under dry sliding conditions

Abstract

Effects of the reinforcement with pitch-based carbon fiber on the wear characteristic of aluminum alloy have been investigated. Wear tests were carried out under dry sliding conditions using pin-on-disk method. The composites were fabricated by squeeze casting. Wear loss of the aluminum alloy was greatly reduced by the fiber reinforcement. The friction coefficient during the wear test of the composite was stable during the wear test compare to that of the unreinforced aluminum alloy. Furthermore, the value of surface roughness after the wear test has become smaller by the reinforcement with carbon fiber. The value of the counterface disk specimen was also decreased by the reinforcement The worn surface of the steel counterface alloy was mostly covered with aluminum when using the unreinforced aluminum alloy. On the other hand, iron, carbon and only slight aluminum were detected on the worn surface of the counterface when combined with the composite. These results indicate that the carbon fiber acted as a solid lubricant on the worn surface.