Comparison of Friction and Wear Properties of of 45 vol.% SiCp/6092Al Composite Against Different Counterparts

Dry friction sliding wear tests at room temperature were conducted on a 45 vol.% SiC particle reinforced 6092 aluminum alloy （SiCp/6092Al） composite under a load of 50 N; YG6 cemented carbide balls and Si₃N₄ ceramic balls were utilized as counterparts. The friction and wear properties of the composite against these two counterparts. The results indicate that when grinding against YG6 cemented carbide balls, the composite exhibited a lower average friction coefficient, a lower wear rate, and more stable friction behavior compared to that against the Si₃N₄ ceramic balls. Wear scars under both counterparts displayed a "U-shaped" cross-sectional profile; while the scar generated against the YG6 cemented carbide balls was shallower, narrower, and smoother. Both counterparts induced interfacial delamination wear in the composite. The primary wear mechanism of the composite under the action of YG6 cemented carbide was micro-cutting and plastic ploughing, featuring a relatively continuous and stable wear process. Under the action of Si₃N₄ ceramic, cracks initiated on the wear scar, and layered spallation occurred with crack propagation, resulting in a discontinuous and severe delamination wear mechanism.