Compaction of High-Ca Fly Ash-Al- and Al-Alloy-Composites: Evaluation of their Microstructure and Tribological Performance

Authors

Grigorios Itskos, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, GR-157 80, Athens, Greece, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications, 357-359 Mesogeion Avenue, GR-152 31, Halandri, Athens, Greece
Angeliki Moutsatsou, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, GR-157 80, Athens, Greece
Pradeep K. Rohatgi, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Materials Department, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
Nikolaos Koukouzas, Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications, 357-359 Mesogeion Avenue, GR-152 31, Halandri, Athens, Greece
Charalampos Vasilatos, Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, National University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Ano Ilissia, GR-157 84, Athens, Greece
Eleni Katsika, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou Campus, GR-157 80, Athens, Greece

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In this study, highly calcareous and siliceous fly ash particles were utilized for the fabrication of Al- and Al-alloy-based MetalMatrix Composites (MMCs) by means of powder metallurgy. After compacting and sintering Al and Al/Si powders containing 10, 15, and 20wt. % ash particles, the homogenous (and with minimal amount of voids) microstructure of the produced composites was verified by means of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The composites were tested for their dry sliding wear behavior using a pin-on-disc machine against spheres of alumina. The worn surfaces of composites were then examined by using SEM and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS). It was shown that the addition of both types of FA enhanced the tribo-performance of Al, with the optimum metal powder replacement determined to the point of 15% wt., in the case of high-Si and 10% wt., in the case of high-Ca ash particles. Regarding alloy-matrix composites, although they generally presented worse tribological performance than pure Al/Si products, the additions of ashes up to 15% wt. resulted in only slight deterioration of the wear performance of composites.

First Page

75

Last Page

82

DOI

10.4177/CCGP-D-11-00009.1

Volume

3

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Recommended Citation

Itskos, G., Moutsatsou, A., Rohatgi, P.K., Koukouzas, N., Vasilatos, C., Katsika, E., 2011, Compaction of High-Ca Fly Ash-Al and Al-Alloy-Composites: Evaluation of their Microstructure and Tribological Performance. Coal Combustion and Gasification Products 3, 75-82, doi: 10.4177/CCGP-D-11-00009.1