Tribological characterization of aluminum-copper-magnesium-boron composites subject to mechanical wear

The tribological properties of a series of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with AlB2 particles developed for machinery parts intended for aerospace and automotive applications were evaluated. This thesis encompasses the microstructure characterization of those composites and the assessment of their tribological response when subject to pin-on-disk wear test. SEM and EDS analyzes permitted to identify the phases present and correlate the composite microstructure with its mechanical and tribological behavior. SEM observations also allowed identifying the wear mechanisms involved during the pin-on-disks tests against a 440 martensitic stainless steel ball. Wear coefficients were contrasted with Brinell and superficial Rockwell hardness. It was possible to establish the effect of chemical composition on the wear volume and wear coefficient for different composites compositions. This will then permit obtaining machinery parts with optimal performance, achieving high durability, high resistance and the reduction of maintenance costs.