Wear Behavior of Al₂O₃-Reinforced Aluminum Metal Matrix Composite in Water and in Ethanol

Abstract

Aluminum metal matrix composite disks reinforced with alumina (Al₂O₃) were slid against silicon carbide (SiC) pins in water and in ethanol to evaluate the wear resistance. The wear of the composite slid against SiC in water was higher than that in ethanol. Oxidized aluminum compounds were formed by tribo-oxidation on the composite disk surfaces worn both in water and in ethanol. The amount of the oxidized aluminum compounds deposited on the wear tracks in water was much larger than that in ethanol. The significant oxidative wear took place in water, while oxidative wear and wear due to plastic deformation took place in ethanol.