The comparative tribological characteristics of squeeze cast and wrought Al-Mg-Si alloys

Authors

• Aishwarya Patil Mahindra University https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1928-3922
• Subhendu NASKAR IIT Hyderabad https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0282-446X
• Yogendra MAHTON NIT Rourkela
• Chirag GOENKA https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1083-6820
• Partha SAHA
• Abhijit BHATTACHARYYA https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1748-1229
• Palash Roy Choudhury Mahindra University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3309-4798

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30678/fjt.156182

Keywords:

Squeeze cast aluminium, Pin-on-disc, Tribological response, Friction, Al-Mg-Si

Abstract

The tribological response of a laboratory prepared squeeze cast Al-Mg-Si alloy has been compared with the response of the corresponding wrought alloy.  The wear resistance of the wrought alloy was found to be better than that of the cast alloy, an expected result as the wrought alloy was harder. However, Analysis of Variance revealed that the difference in wear resistance was not statistically significant. The effect of the sliding speed on the wear resistance of the alloys was not significant, but the effect of the load was significant. The friction coefficient of the wrought alloy was found to be lower than that of the cast alloy. Analysis of Variance revealed that this difference was statistically significant. The effects of the sliding speed and load on the friction coefficient were found to be significant. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the simultaneous prevalence of multiple wear mechanisms including abrasive and adhesive wear, delamination, and oxidative wear. Third body oxide particles trapped within the contact zone also influenced wear. In applications requiring a high friction coefficient, when dry sliding under load against hardened steel, the squeeze cast alloy may be employed without any significant sacrifice of wear resistance, compared with its wrought counterpart.