Influence of Combined Addition of Boron and Strontium on High-Temperature Wear Behavior of A356 Alloy

Abstract

In the present study, the effect of the combined addition of boron (B) and strontium (Sr) on the high-temperature dry sliding wear behavior of A356 alloy has been investigated using a pin-on-disc wear testing machine attached with a furnace. During wear studies, the effect of alloy composition, normal pressure, sliding speed, and sliding distance on A356 alloy at four temperatures, namely, room temperature and 100, 200, and 300°C, have been investigated. Further, the cast alloys and worn surfaces of A356 alloy with and without B and Sr were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis. Results indicate that the combined addition of B and Sr to A356 alloy has led to improvements in wear properties. This is due to a change in microstructure, improvement in mechanical properties, and the formation of an oxide layer between the mating surfaces during the sliding wear process.

KEYWORDS:

• A356 alloy
• automotive
• microstructural studies
• wear
• wear mechanism
• oxidative wear

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Professor M. Chakraborty, Former Director, IIT Bhuvaneshwar, and Prof. B. S. Murty, IIT, Chennai, for their constant help and support.

Funding

The authors are grateful to the Ministry of Defense, Naval Research Board (NRB), Directorate of Naval R & D, DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi, India, for the financial support for the present work.