Erosion wear behaviors of hybrid-particles reinforced Ni matrix composites

The extreme working conditions in coal mining, petrochemical industries, and other related fields have imposed higher demands on the wear resistance of materials used for critical components in mechanical equipment. This study prepared a hybrid-particles reinforced metal matrix composite (MMC)that combines large-size zirconia-toughened alumina particles (ZTAp)as load-bearing elements with small-size tungsten carbide particles (WCp)for reinforcement. Specifically, we probe into the composites' structure, focusing particularly on the effects of media, erosion angle, ZTAp size, and WCp content on their erosion-wear resistance and the underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that the addition of appropriate amounts of ZTAp and WCp significantly enhances the composites' erosion-wear resistance. Within a fixed volume fraction of ZTAp, larger particle sizes are associated with better erosion-wear resistance. The primary failure mechanisms observed are brittle spalling and fatigue fracture. Through second-phase reinforcement, solid solution strengthening, and precipitation strengthening, the WC particles enhance the hardness and wear resistance of the matrix, suppressing the interactive effects of corrosion and wear in acidic media. The primary failure mechanism during erosion is brittle fracture and spalling.