OBRABOTKAMETALLOV MATERIAL SCIENCE Vol. 27 No. 1 2025 Fig. 13. Effect of TiO₂ content (%) on the wear rate of Al- 7Si matrix composites at a sliding distance of 700 m Fig. 12. Effect of TiO₂ content (%) on the wear rate of Al- 7Si matrix composites at a sliding distance of 350 m and AA2024 aluminum alloys and discovered an effective method for increasing wear resistance. TiO2 is a naturally occurring titanium oxide widely used as a pigment in paints, plastics, and cosmetics. When added to aluminum, it increases its durability and hardness by interacting with the metal’s crystal lattice. The addition of TiO2 particles into the aluminum matrix leads to the formation of a composite material with improved wear resistance. The high hardness of the TiO2 particles makes a significant contribution to increasing the wear resistance of aluminum. Vinaykumar et al.’s research [8] showed that compared to the Al6063 alloy, composites based on Al6063 containing 2, 4, 6, and 8 wt. % TiO2 demonstrate an increase in wear resistance of approximately 6.25 %, 18.75 %, 37.5 %, and 43.75 %, respectively. Ganesh Khandoori [47] and associates investigated the wear behavior of aluminum reinforced with TiO2 particles (5 %, 10 %, and 15 %) produced by stir casting. The test results unequivocally showed that the mass loss of the samples increases with increasing load, although the wear rate varies. At the same time, the mass loss of the composite decreases with increasing TiO2 content, which indicates an increase in its wear resistance. TiO2 has a Mohs hardness of 5.5–6 (out of 10) [48], while aluminum alloys have a Mohs hardness of 2.75–3. Thus, the TiO2 nanoparticles are significantly harder than the Al- 7Si matrix. Adding such a hard material to a softer aluminum matrix provides greater wear resistance caused by friction and abrasion.
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