Scandium Trace Addition Effect on the Solidification Structure and Wear Resistance of Al–Pb Immiscible Alloy
摘要
The effects of rare earth element Sc on the solidification structure and wear resistance of Al–Bi eutectic alloy were studied using the microalloying method. The samples were analyzed using SEM, XRD, a multifunctional material surface performance tester, and a Vickers microhardness tester. The results show that the addition of trace Sc element can significantly improve the Pb-rich phase’s distribution state, making it disperse in the α-Al matrix and reduce the particle size of the Pb-rich phase, inhibiting its coarsening behavior. At the same time, the hardness, friction coefficient, wear volume, and other parameters of the material are linearly correlated with the Sc content. At the Sc content reaching 0.25 wt%, the hardness reaches a maximum value, exceeding that without Sc by 113.2%. The friction coefficient and wear volume under the same pressure reach a minimum value, with the maximum percentage decrease compared to without Sc being 23.1% and 35.8%, respectively. SEM images of the wear marks show that the main types of wear are contact fatigue wear and abrasive wear, accompanied by plastic deformation and brittle fracture.
Graphical abstract