Effect of CeO 2 on the elevated-temperature wear behaviour of in situ TiB 2 /A356 composite

Effects of CeO 2 on the wear resistance of in situ TiB 2 /A356 composites synthesised via the reaction of K 2 TiF 6 , KBF 4 and Al melt were investigated. The results showed that CeO 2 was effective in enhancing the wear resistance of TiB 2 /A356 at all test temperatures. The CeO 2 pushed the transition temperature from mild to severe wear by another 50°C. The wear mode of the composite without CeO 2 was metal flow and severe wear at 90 N and 200°C, while for the composite with CeO 2 , the oxidation and delamination wear was the main wear mode at the same load and temperature. The improvement in the wear resistance of the composite was attributed to the increase in thermal stability of the composite due to improved TiB 2 dispersion by adding CeO 2 .