An Investigation into the Wear Behaviour of Aluminum (AA2124) Matrix Composite Reinforced with Intermetallic MoSi2 Particles

In the present work، the AA2124/25vol. %MoSi2 composite was produced by powder metallurgy technique. The aluminum alloy 2124 powder was produced by gas atomization method and the MoSi2 intermetallic particles were produced through combustion synthesis. The AA2124 matrix powder was mechanically blended with 25vol. %MoSi2 using a ball milling mixer. The blended powder mixture was encapsulated and then hot extruded to composite bars. The heat treatment T6 was carried out on some of the composite samples. Wear tests were performed on both as-extruded and heat-treated samples using a ''pin on disk'' apparatus with a tool steel counterpart، a track length of 1000 m، and a speed of 0. 1 m/sec. The friction coefficient was measured and the wear mechanism was determined through the evaluation of weight loss of the composite samples. A complete study was done using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and EDS analyzing of the worn surfaces. The results indicated that the main wear mechanism is the adhesive wear، however، the oxide and abrasive wear mechanisms were observed to slightly happen. The heat treatment improved the wear resistance of the composite samples for 25 percent in comparison with the as-extruded samples