Study on Friction Properties of CNTs/AlSi10Mg Composites

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of eutectic silicon particle size on the properties of composites of carbon-nano tubes (CNTs) and AlSi10Mg prepared by powder metallurgy. The samples were studied using light microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, friction tests and tensile experiments. The effects of short-term heat treatment (540 °C solid solution for 1 h 175 °C aging for 4, 5, and 6 h) on the microstructure, tribological properties and tensile properties of the CNTs/AlSi10Mg composites were investigated. The results showed that the composite material showed an obvious toughening effect after 1 h of solid solution treatment and 4 h of aging, and the elongation increased by 33 %. Adding CNTs can improve the friction performance of the material. The composite material has the best friction performance when aged for 5 h. After a short heat treatment, the eutectic silicon is homogenized in the α-Al matrix, and the eutectic network is broken. The eutectic silicon becomes rounded from the lath shape. The spheroidized structure reduces stress concentrations around silicon particles and improves the friction performance of the composite material.