The methods of production, the structure, and the service properties of aluminum-matrix composite materials (CMs) hardened by high-strength high-module particles are discussed. Owing to high wear resistance, a low specific weight, and a low cost, such CMs are promising for application in many fields of machine building. The need for commercial development of these new functional reinforced CMs with hardening fillers of various natures and fraction compositions (including nanoparticles) as high-temperature and wear-resistant materials instead of traditional materials is grounded.

A method for production of Sn–Sb–Cu alloy (babbitt) based composite coatings reinforced with micron-sized SiC and B4C particles on a steel substrate has been developed. A combined action of...

We studied the effect of reinforcing phases introduced into the melt ex situ and formed directly in situ during mechanical activation of powders or mechanical mixing in the melt on the structure and mechanical and tribological properties of aluminum-matrix cast and aluminum-powder composites. Intermetallic inclusions, Al₂O₃, TiC, SiC, and refractory nanoscale particles served as reinforcing agents.

The structure and tribological properties (coefficient of friction, wear) of the composite material based on a commercial AO20-1 aluminum alloy reinforced with Ti₂NbAl intermetallic particles have been analyzed. Structures of various degrees of dispersity are formed upon melt crystallization in a copper or graphite mold. The composite material formed in the copper mold is found to be characterized by a more disperse granular structure and a better intermetallic particle distribution. The wear intensity and the coefficient of friction of the composite material decrease by ≈2.5 times in comparison with the AO20-1 matrix alloy. When the test load increases, the coefficient of friction of the modified alloy decreases insignificantly.

The structure and tribological behavior of composite materials (CM) based on the AO20-1 alloy produced by casting method by mixing particles of the Ti₂NbAl intermetallic compound into the melt were studied. Tribological tests of the samples were carried out under conditions of dry sliding friction according to the axial loading scheme of a rotating disk sample using a fixed sleeve made of steel 45X (HRC > 63) as a counterface. It has been established that, as a result of a decrease in Al grain size during the rapid crystallization of the matrix alloy and the introduction of a discrete powder of an intermetallic compound into the alloy, the friction coefficient of the CM decreases by half. The wear resistance of CM increases by 2.5 times, which is associated with the influence of particles of solid intermetallic metal, limiting plastic deformation and entrainment of the matrix material.