Synthesis and Characterization of Al-18Si-3.6Cu-0.34Ce Alloy Prepared by Conventional Casting Method

In the present investigation, an effort was made to find the mechanical and wear properties of a heat-treatable hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy. The alloy was prepared by the conventional casting method in the form of ingots, then the chemical compositions of the alloy were analyzed by a spectro-spark emission spectrometer. The as-cast alloy test samples are T6 heat treated by solutionizing at 500oC for 1 hour, followed by water quenching and isothermal aging treatment at 210oC for different aging times. The tensile test was carried out for as-cast and cast-aged conditions with different aging times of 1h, 3h, 5h, and 7h. It was observed from the tensile test that the ultimate tensile strength of 1h (193.83 MPa) and 3h (168.68 MPa) aged (T6 treated) samples improved the UTS by 22% and 7%, respectively, as compared to the cast sample (158 MPa). For the chosen alloy at as-cast and cast-aged conditions the dry sliding wear test was performed at distinct sliding speeds (1 m/s, 2 m/s, 3 m/s, and 4 m/s) by varying loads of 10–40 N for each sliding speed. From the wear study it is confirmed that wear rate and coefficient of friction are load-dependent. In spite of higher sliding speeds and loads, lower friction was noticed.