Effect of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the tribological properties of stainless steel

Austenitic stainless-steel specimens reinforced with aluminium oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles added in (0.5, 1.0 and 2.5) w/% concentrations were produced by a conventional casting route.The produced composite specimens were analysed in terms of microstructural properties and wear resistance.The pin-on-disc testing method was used to study the wear behaviour of the composite at room temperature, including steady-state coefficient of friction, the running-in behaviour and wear resistance.A hardened stainless-steel ball (X47Cr14) with a diameter of 10 mm and hardness of 490 HV1 was used as a loading counter-body, sliding against an investigated disk specimen.Microstructure observations revealed that the concentration and size of the particles have an impact on the distribution of the reinforcement within the matrix as well as on the wear behaviour.The Al2O3 particles increased the hardness and consequently led to improved tribological properties of the composites.