The Effect of Basalt Fiber Addition on Physical Dry Wear in Al-Cu Alloy Used in the Automotive Industry

Abstract

In this study, AlCu alloy was produced by the powder metallurgy method used in many stages of the automotive industry. In addition to the AlCu alloy, basalt fiber was added. Thus, it is aimed to increase wear resistance. A mixture was obtained with Al and Cu elements used in a 1:1 ratio by weight. Samples that were pressed and sintered at 600°C were examined. Microstructure (scanning electron microscopy), hardness (Vickers), chemical analysis (energy dispersive X-ray), and physical reciprocating wear tests were applied to the samples. Porosity status was observed in the microstructure. The porosity ratio increased with the addition of fiber. With this process, a slight decrease in hardness occurred. During the chemical analysis process, the oxide level of the grains and the alloy was determined to be at most 1%. In the physical dry abrasion test, the abrasion resistance increased by about 6 times with the addition of basalt fiber. Thus, with the addition of fiber in the AlCu alloy, an adhesive wear mechanism has been developed and the wear rate has decreased.

Keywords

• Aluminum
• Copper
• Basalt
• Powder Metallurgy
• Wear

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