AN OVERVIEW OF SELF-LUBRICATED ALUMINUM-BASED HYBRID COMPOSITES, PART B: TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR

Abstract

A self-lubricating composite based on aluminum matrix with variable reinforcements has improved wear characteristics. The addition of solid lubricant greatly influences the mechanical as well as tribological characteristics. The different parameters of solid lubricants like shape, size, and concentration greatly influence the tribological characteristics of the Al composite as mentioned in Part A of the serial review. The fabrication route also plays a vital role which is well elaborated in Part A. However, tribological parameters have greater impact in improving wear characteristics irrespective of any kind of solid lubricants used in aluminum-based self-lubricating hybrid composite. These tribological parameters are the key part of wear analysis. In this context, Part B of this serial review will explain and go through the tribological behavior of aluminum-based self-lubricating hybrid composite for different combinations of solid lubricant. This article gives an overview on the limitation of aluminum-based self-lubricating hybrid composite for different tribological applications. For each combination of hybrid combination along with aluminum matrix, wear fundamentals and key concepts are summarized and discussed along with the representative applications. Finally, we comment on the future directions and challenges relevant to the aluminum-based self-lubricating hybrid composite. This review is expected to improve the basic understanding of tribological behavior through the analysis of experimental data of a novel composite for different tribological applications.