Abstract
In the present study AA6061 aluminium alloy composites containing 0, 4, 8
and 12 Wt. % of fly ash particles have been fabricated by the compocasting process.
The dry sliding wear behaviour of unreinforced alloy and composites are studied using
Pin-On-Disc machine. The dry sliding wear test was conducted at a load of 4.9, 9.8,
14.7, 19.6, and 24.5 N, sliding velocity of 1.57 m/s, sliding distance of 4000 m and a
track radius of 100mm at an ambient temperature respectively for all the tests. Results
indicate that the dry sliding wear resistance of Al-fly ash composite increases with an
increase in the amount of fly ash content. The load bearing capacity of the AA6061
alloy during dry sliding wear has increased in presence of fly ash particles.
Composites exhibit better wear resistance compared to unreinforced alloy up to a load
of 24.5 N. Study of the wear surfaces and debris of both alloy and composites using
the scanning electron microscope suggests that at high loads (>4.9 N), where fly ash
particles act as load bearing constituents, the wear resistance of AA6061 Al alloy
reinforced with a size range (2-3 μm) fly ash particles.