TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ALUMINIUM-BASED

COMPOSITE MATERIALS WITH DISPERSED METALLIZED

GRAPHITE PARTICLES
Olexandr Shcheretsky, Volodymyr Lakhnenko, Volodymyr
Shcheretsky
Physico-technological Institute of Metals and Alloys of NASU, 34/1 Vernadsky Ave.,
Kyiv-142, 03680, Ukraine, texnolit@i.com.ua

ABSTRACT
Tribological characteristics of composite materials (CM) on the basis of
aluminium-silicon alloy with dispersed metallized particles of graphite are
investigated. Beneficial effect of graphite to serviceability of pair friction is
established. Decreasing of friction coefficient and increasing of wear resistance in
3-5 times are shown.

KEY WORDS: Composite materials, Metallized particles, Wear

1. INTRODUCTION presence of the advanced network of internal

Modern development of engineering demands
more and more perfect tribological materials. There is
rising of specific loadings, temperature conditions of
operation and aggression of environments. Rather
sharply there is a question of weight reduction of
devices, increase of durability, reliability and stability
of properties of materials. However, the resource of
increase of properties of standard alloys has
practically depleted itself. Therefore for today
materials with heterogeneous and meta-stable
structure are more and more widely applied.
Composite materials on a basis of aluminium with
dispersed particles of graphite also can be reckoned to
perspective heterogeneous materials [1]. For
obtaining of such materials, property of which will
not change while its work, it is necessary to solve a
number of difficult technological problems. It is
necessary to provide strong adhesive connections
between strengthening phase and a matrix, and
prevent formation of harmful compounds on
interphase borders, which can lower physical,
mechanical and tribological properties of CM, or
cause the degradation of properties of material while
its work. Thereto, under operation of composite
materials secondary structures, which will raise or
lower tribological properties, can be formed.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS OF
RESEARCH.
Composite materials on the basis of aluminium
alloys with disperse particles of graphite are
representatives of nonequilibrium systems of whom
interfacial borders and gradients of the chemical
potentials arising on these borders is typical. The
difference of chemical potentials of substances in a
matrix and reinforcing phase is driving force of
processes of interphase interaction, in particular
mutual diffusion and chemical reactions. Interphase
interaction renders direct influence on strength of
connections of components in CM on which depend
not only properties of obtained materials, but also a
possibility of their obtaining. Therefore for
development of optimum technological parameters of
reception of CM the knowledge of consistent patterns
of interphase interaction in these systems is necessary.
For the solving of this problem a complex of modern
methods of researches was used: the differential-
thermal analysis; the quantitative metallography
analysis; the method of a sessile drop for studying
wettability; the method of local X-ray spectral
analysis; the X-ray-phases analysis; the chemical
analysis. For the successful solving of a problem of
introduction and equable distribution of dispersed
particles in aluminium melt the powders of graphite
(50-100 microns) metallized by molybdenum was
used.
Metallization of dispersed particles of graphite
carried out by the method of heating of a mix of the
corresponded powders in vacuum. It is experimentally
established, that for providing of full wetting of
dispersed particles with aluminium melt the covering
thickness not less than 1 microns is necessary.
Forasmuch as molybdenum is an undesirable element
in aluminium alloys the thickness of covering was
minimal (1,0-1,5 microns). It is established, that
process of drawing of a covering is influenced with
the following factors: temperature, the content of
oxygen in metallizer, the ratio between particles and
metallizer, height of a layer and intensity of mixing of
a reactionary mixture. Using these researches
technological parameters of metallization were chosen
Content of elements, %
Alloy
Mg Si Mn
AL25 1,21 12,12 0,53
AMO 3-7 0,21 0,14 0,12
3. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
Tribotechnical properties were researched in two
stages. At the first stage investigation was carried out
at the constant speed of sliding equal 2 м/s and in
steps changeable pressure. At the following stage
specimens were tested at the fixed pressure (P = 0,6
MPа) and variable speed of sliding. Alloys AL25 and
АМО 3-7 were used as materials of comparison. Their
chemical compositions are given in table 1. Results of
tests are given on Figures 1-3.
Pressure, MPа
Fig. 1. Dependence of friction
Sliding Speed, m/s
Fig. 2. Dependence of wear-rate from sliding speed in
friction pair of different materials with steel 45: 1 –
AL25; 2 – AMO 3-7; 3 – AL25 + 1 % С; 4 – AL25 +
2 % С; 5 – AL25 + 3 % С; 6 – AL25 + 4 % С;
[2]. Metallized graphite was entered into standard
aluminium alloy AL25 (table 1) in amount from 0,5
up to 3 % on weight.
Table 1 Chemical composition of tested alloys
Cu Ni Ti Sn Al
2,73 0,98 0,17 0,004 rest
3,14 0,08 0,04 6,78 rest
Content of Graphite, %
Fig. 3. Dependence of wear-rate from graphite content
in friction pair of different materials with steel 45.
4. CONCLUSION
Analyzing the obtained results, it is possible to
make an unequivocal conclusion that introduction of
graphite to aluminium alloy renders beneficial effect
to its serviceability. There is decrease of friction
coefficient and increase of wear resistance in
comparison with an initial alloy in 3-5 times, and in
comparison with antifrictional alloy АМО 3-7 in 2-3
times. Moreover, work of an aluminium composition
with steel counter- specimen does not promote carry
of a basis of a material on its working surface. Test of
specimens at various speed of sliding has shown, that
under low speed (up to 4 м/s) introduction of graphite
reduces the friction coefficient. Presence of graphite
promotes formation of a dividing film which serves as
a solid greasing and reduces contact of metal surfaces,
as results in increase of a level of serviceability of
friction pair.
REFERENCES
1. Chernyshova T. A., Kobeleva L. I., Bolotova L. K., 2001,
Discretely reinforced composite materials with matrixes from
aluminium alloys and them tribotechnical properties. Metals. Vol. 6,
pp. 85-98.
2. Shumikhin V.S., Shchertsky O. A., 1997, Obtaining of
composites on the basis of aluminium with disperse metallized
particles. Processes of Casting. Vol. 4, pp. 33-37.