A comprehensive study on tic additions and sliding speed effects governing wear in aluminium matrix composites

Particulate-reinforced aluminium matrix composites (PRAMCs) have gained significant attention for their high strength, good ductility, and excellent thermal conductivity, making them suitable for a wide range of modern engineering applications. In this study, micro-sized titanium carbide (TiC) particles were incorporated into an aluminium matrix through liquid-state stir casting, with TiC added at 0%, 3%, 6%, and 9% by weight. The investigation examined the combined influence of TiC content and sliding speed (0.75, 1.5, 2.25, and 3 m/s) on the wear behaviour of the composites when tested against an EN31 steel disc. All wear tests were performed under a constant load of 30 N over a sliding distance of 2000 m. The results show that increasing TiC content leads to a higher wear rate, whereas the coefficient of friction decreases correspondingly. Conversely, increasing sliding speed reduces the wear rate but results in a higher coefficient of friction. These findings demonstrate the coupled effects of TiC reinforcement and sliding velocity on the tribological performance of aluminium matrix composites and provide valuable insights for tailoring their behaviour in industrial applications.