EFFECT OF GRANULOMETRY IN RELATION TO WEAR PRODUCED BY A METAL MATRIX COMPOSITE IN 316 STEEL REINFORCED WITH TIC SINTERED BY PLASMA

Abstract

This research presents an analysis of the coefficient behavior of the dry wear of a metal matrix composite (MMC) in stainless steel 316 reinforced with particles of Titanium Carbide (TiC) according to ASTM G99 standard [1], in a pin-on-disc tribo meter. This study tests the granulometry effects on the MMC manufactured with 3% in volume of TiC, in samples compacted at 700 MPa and sintered through the abnormal glow discharge, at a temperature of 1200°C ± 5 ºC, with a protection atmosphere H2 - N2 and a permanence time of 30 minutes. This research has demonstrated that the best wear behavior is obtained for the granulometry; as a result of the mixture milling process for 80 minutes . Under this parameter a highest density, a smaller size of pore and a low coefficient of friction were got, guaranteeing that the incorporation of ceramic particles (Tic) in a matrix of austenitic steel (316) shows significant improvements in the resistance to the corrosion, behavior observed in the topographical analysis and in the footprint profile by obtaining the least depth.