Study of Sand Particle Erosive Wear Behavior of Advanced Aluminum Matrix Composites

The present investigation involved the addition of titanium carbide (TiC) particles, sized below 10 μm, to aluminum alloy (Al–Fe-Si) at weight percentages of (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%). The composites were prepared using the ultrasonic-assisted stir casting technique. The erosion wear characteristics were analyzed considering several influential parameters, including impact angle, particle velocity, and the size of the erodent particles. The flow rate of the erodent mixed with air remained constant at 2 gm/min, and the test duration was set at 240 s. The experiments we were conducted in constant pressure of 3 bars, with varying impingement angles of 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°, examine the erosion wear behavior of the samples. The experimental findings demonstrated that the presence of abrasive particles led to an enhanced wear rate when subjected to increased pressure on the surface. Furthermore, the erosion wear was notably higher at a 45° angle. A microscopic examination of the sample, accompanied by captured images, unveiled distinct wear patterns that varied with the alteration of parameters. SEM study reveals dominant wear mechanisms of microploughing and microcutting erosion mechanisms at 45° impingement angle.