Role of Different Range of Particle Size on Wear Characteristics of Al–Rutile Composites

The present article describes in detail the wear behavior of rutile-reinforced LM13 alloy composite at elevated temperatures. Rutile particles in different amounts were reinforced into LM13 alloy by the stir casting route. The microhardness measured at different areas indicates good interfacial bonding. Wear tests were conducted for composites containing rutile particles in 10 wt.% and 15 wt.% with variation in particle size (50–75 µm and 106–125 µm). The presence of ceramic particle in the matrix improves the hardness, wear resistance, thermal stability, and durability of the materials. The wear of composite at 200°C presented entirely different wear behavior mode than that at 250°C. The wear rate of fine size reinforced composite was substantially lower than that of coarse size reinforced composite with higher load at 200°C. A transition from mild-to-severe wear in composite was observed with higher load above 150°C. The morphology of wear track and debris indicates that nucleation of cracks around the void on the interface of the particles is the main cause of surface damage.