Effects of CeO(2) Content on Friction and Wear Properties of SiCp/Al-Si Composite Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

SiCp/Al-Si composites with different CeO(2) contents were prepared by a powder metallurgy method. The effect of CeO(2) content on mechanical properties, friction and wear properties of the composites was studied. The results show that with the increase in CeO(2) content from 0 to 1.8 wt%, the density, hardness, friction coefficient of the composites first increases and then decreases, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and wear rate of the composites first decreases and then increases. When the content of CeO(2) was 0.6 wt%, the density and hardness of the composite reached the maximum value of 98.54% and 113.7 HBW, respectively, the CTE of the composite reached the minimum value of 11.1 × 10(−6) K(−1), the friction coefficient and wear rate of the composite reached the maximum value of 0.32 and the minimum value of 1.02 mg/m, respectively. CeO(2) has little effect on the wear mechanism of composites, and the wear mechanism of composites with different CeO(2) content is mainly abrasive wear under the load of 550 N. Compared with the content of CeO(2), load has a great influence on the wear properties of the composites. The wear mechanism of the composites is mainly oxidation wear and abrasive wear under low load. With the increase in load, the wear degree of abrasive particles is aggravated, and adhesive wear occurs under higher load.