Production and Tribological Characterization of Advanced Open-Cell AlSi10Mg-Al2O3 Composites

In this study, advanced open-cell porous AlSi10Mg-Al2O3 composites have been successfully fabricated by replication of NaCl space holders. The tribological behavior under dry sliding conditions at room temperature of composites with different pore sizes was studied via the pin-on-disk method, and wear parameters, such as the coefficient of friction (COF) and mass wear, were determined. Micro-hardness tests have been performed to investigate the change in mechanical properties after the processing of the composite materials. Microstructural observation was conducted by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with chemical micro-analysis using an X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) system. The obtained results revealed that the investigated AlSi10Mg-Al2O3 composites possess lower COF and mass wear than the open-cell porous AlSi10Mg material when subjected to the same test conditions. Furthermore, it was also reported that the effect of pore size is insignificant to the COF, and in relation to mass wear, the composite material with the larger pores shows better results.