Abstract
The Al/Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ SiC and Al/Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$/C hybrid metal matrix composites (MMCs) were fabricated by squeeze infiltration method. Uniform distribution of reinforcements were found in the microstructure of metal matrix composites. Mechanical tests were carried out under various test conditions to clearly identify mechanical behavior of MMCs, and the wear mechanism of Al/Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$/(SiC or C) hybrid metal matrix composites were investigated. The tensile strength and hardness of hybrid composites was resulted in increasing compared with those of the unreinforced matrix alloy. Wear resistance was strongly dependent upon kinds of fiber, volume fraction and sliding speed. The wear resistance of metal matrix composites was remarkably improved by the addition of reinforcements. Especially, the wear resistance of the hybrid composites of carbon fibers was more effective than in the composites reinforced with alumina and SiC whiskers of reinforcements. This was due to the effect of carbon fiber on the solid lubrication. Wear mechanisms of hybrid composites were suggested from wear surface analyses. The major wear mechanism of hybrid composites was the abrasive wear at low to intermediate sliding speed, and the melting wear at intermediate to high sliding speed.
