High temperature wear behavior of aluminum oxide layers produced by AC micro arc oxidation

Aluminum alloys are becoming increasingly important, especially in the automotive and aerospace industries. However, these materials tend to have poor wear resistance at atmospheric and high temperature conditions. Aluminum oxide layers are potentially very effective in developing hard, wear-resistant surfaces. The aim of present study was to evaluate the high temperature wear behavior of aluminum oxide layers at different temperatures by using high temperature pin-on-disc tribo tester and alumina balls as counterfaces. The aluminum oxide layers were produced by AC micro arc oxidation (MAO). The structural analyses of the layers were performed using XRD and SEM techniques. The hardness was measured using microhardness tester. The wear rates and friction coefficient was decreased with increasing wear test temperature. The lowest wear rate and friction coefficient, narrow and smooth wear tracks are obtained at 200 degrees C. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.