WEAR CHARACTERIZATION OF LM29 ALLOY WITH40 MICRON SIZED B4C REINFORCED METAL COMPOSITES

This paper deals with the fabrication and evaluation of wear properties by introducing40 micron size B4C particulates into LM29 alloy matrix. LM29 alloy based metal matrix composites were prepared by stir casting method. 3, 6 and 9 wt. % of 40 micron sized B4C particulates were added to the base matrix. For each composite, the reinforcement particles were pre-heated to a temperature of 600 degree Celsius and then dispersed in steps of two into the vortex of molten LM29 alloy to improve wettability. The Micostructural study was done by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), which revealed the uniform distribution of B4C particles in matrix alloy, EDS analysis confirmed the presence of B4C particles in the LM29 alloy matrix.A pin-on-disc wear testing machine was used to evaluate the wear loss of prepared specimens, in which a hardened EN32 steel disc was used as the counter face. The results revealed that the wear loss was increased with increase in normal load and sliding speed for all the specimens. The results also indicated that the wear loss of the LM29-B4C composites were lesser than that of the LM29 matrix. The worn surfaces and wear debris were characterized by SEM microanalysis.