EFFECT OF THE VOLUME FRACTION OF PARTICLES ON ELEVATED TEMPERATURE WEAR RESISTANCE OF Al₂O₃/STEEL COMPOSITES

Based on previous work, abrasive wear resistance of Al₂O₃/steel composites with different Al₂O₃ particle volume fraction (VOF) at 900℃ was investigated. It can be got from the experimental results that a suitable particle volume fraction is important to protect the metal matrix from wear at elevated temperature. The less the particle VOF, the poorer the abrasive wear of the composites due to bulk matrix easily worn off by grits. The more the particle VOF, however, the poorer the abrasive wear of the composites, too. The reason is that Al₂O 3 particles are easily dug out by grits during wearing. When the particle VOF is 39%, the wear resistance of test composites is excellent.