Dry sliding and abrasive wear behaviour of Al-7075 reinforced with alumina and boron nitride particulates

Abstract

Abstract Present research examination focuses on the surface morphology; mechanical properties and wear conduct of Al-7075 metal matrix composites reinforced with alumina and hexagonal boron nitride fillers. Particulate reinforced Al-7075 metal matrix composites were manufactured following the two step stir casting method with differing the weight percentage (2.5 and 5) of reinforcement. Uniform dispersion of alumina and hexagonal boron nitride in pure alloy was verified by optical microstructure. The fabricated samples were subjected to abrasion using dry sand rubber wheel abrasive wear test rig by varying the abrading distance and the applied normal load. Silica sand of particle size 350–400 µm was used as abrasive medium. Mechanical and dry sliding wear test results indicated that both alumina and hexagonal boron nitride fillers show improved mechanical properties and wear resistance. From the abrasive wear test results, it was recognized that the wear resistance of composites is increased by increasing the weight percentage of reinforcements and the reinforced composite gave better resistance against abrasion than the control sample (Al-7075). Further, it was adjudicated that 5 wt% micro hexagonal boron nitride reinforced Al-7075 composite prompts predominant abrasion resistance. Finally, it was presumed that hexagonal boron nitride and alumina fillers gracefully and successfully improved morphological, mechanical, and also the wear properties of Al-7075 alloy for various engineered load-bearing applications.