Microstructure and wear-resistantance of Al-15Pb alloy with high pressure solidification and high pressure heat treatment

Al-15Pb alloys were prepared with hexahedral anvil at high pressure solidification(4GPa) and high pressure heat treatment(4GPa). Microstructure and wear-resistance of the alloy prepared at normal pressure and at high pressure were analyzed comparatively by SEM (scanning electron microscope), EDX, XRD, Mcrohardness tester and friction-wear tester. The results reveal that Al-15Pb alloys consist of α-Al phase and Pb phase with the morphology of the particle under normal pressure and high pressure, and a great amount of Pb particles are distributed in Al matrix under normal pressure, while Pb phase is decreased with size refinement under high pressure solidification conditions. Morevoer, the trace Pb phase with large size can be observed under high pressure heat treatment condition. The solid solubility of Pb in α-Al phase is zero under normal pressure, while Pb has a slight solution in α-Al phase under high pressure. Meanwhile, solid solution in high pressure solidification is a little greater than that in high pressure heat treatment. Compared with normal pressure, the density of Al-15Pb alloy solidified at 4GPa is increased, and change in high pressure heat treatment can be ignored. Furthermore, the microhardness of the α-Al phase in Al-15Pb alloy at 4GPa solidification is much greater than that in normal pressure, and the increment rate reach 39%. The microhardness of the α-Al phase in Al-15Pb alloy at 4GPa heat treatment is also increased, and the increment rate reaches 19%. The wear resistance of Al-15Pb alloy prepared under high pressure is improved, and antifriction properties exhibits poor.