Effects of Si particles of Al-Si alloys on frictional properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) films/Al-Si alloys tribopairs under lubrication with fully formulated oil

Abstract

Lightweight Al-Si alloy is expected as a substitute material for the cast iron of engine parts to improve fuel consumption of automobiles. In this study, the tribological properties of Al-Si alloys against diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were examined to comprehend the influences of Si particles on Al-Si alloy surfaces under lubricated with a fully formulated oil. Sliding tests were performed with a hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) film coated steel cylinder against the five kind of Al-Si alloy disks with different Si contents. Sliding tests and surface analysis results showed that the friction coefficient of a-C:H/Al-Si tribo-pairs depended on the exposure height of Si particles on the Al-Si alloy surfaces rather than the area ratio of Si particles. The exposure height of Si particles plays important roles in determining the frictional properties of a-C:H/Al-Si tribo-pairs under lubrication with the fully formulated oil.