Solid particle erosion response of aluminum reinforced with tungsten carbide nanoparticles and aluminide particles

Laboratory of Applied Metallurgy, Department of Materials Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece

^* Corresponding author: akarantz@cc.uoi.gr

Abstract

The main concept behind this work is to further enhance the attractive properties of aluminum by fabricating Al - WC composites and evaluating them in terms of their solid particle erosion response. Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs) were produced by the addition of submicron sized WC particles (up to 2.5vol %) into a melt of Al1050. Casting was assisted by the use of K₂TiF₆ as a wetting agent and mechanical stirring in order to minimize particle clustering. Extensive presence of in-situ intermetallic phases (Al₄W, Al₅W, Al₁₂W, Al₃(Ti,W), Al₃Ti) was observed in the cast products. Particle distribution was reasonably uniform comprising both clusters and isolated particles. Solid particle erosion experiments were carried out for impact angles of 30°, 60° and 90°, using angular Al₂O₃ particles as the eroding medium and under 5 bar spraying pressure. The erosion rate was calculated by measuring the mass loss and the eroded surfaces were examined with SEM-EDX. Increased erosion resistance was observed for low particle additions (≤ 1.0 vol%WC). Finally, a possible erosion mechanism was proposed based on the material’s microstructural and morphological characteristics.