In-Situ Formed Al3Zr Compounds Reinforced Al Composites and Tribological Application

Abstract

An Al3Zr-reinforced Al matrix composite using metal powders was fabricated via in-situ synthesis in vacuum; these were subjected to a pin-on-disc wear test with a SUS304 disc specimen under oil lubrication. The elemental mixture of Al and ZrH2 particles was sintered in vacuum for the in-situ-formed Al3Zr. ZrH2 particles were thermally decomposed in the reaction with the Al matrix to form hard Al3Zr intermetallic compounds. The friction coefficient and wear volume values of the Al–Al3Zr composites were significantly lower than those of the pure Al specimen. This is attributed to the uniform dispersion of Al3Zr particles in the Al matrix, which prevented the metallurgical bond from falling and blocked the direct contact between the Al matrix and SUS304 disc.