Effect of beryl and graphene nano platelets reinforcements on the wear behaviour of AL7075- beryl graphene particulate hybrid nano composites

Abstract

The effect of beryl particles and graphene nano platelets (GNPs) on the wear behaviour of Al7075-beryl-graphene hybrid composites has been studied. The hybrid composites were developed containing Al7075 matrix as matrix materials and 6 weight percentage of beryl and varying 0.5 to 2 weight percentage of graphene by using novel two step stir casting technique and wear behaviour of the newly developed hybrid composites were studied. The dry sliding wear studies conducted using a pin-on-disc tribo-tester under atmospheric conditions revealed that the wear loss of Al7075-beryl-graphene hybrid composites are lower than that of the matrix Al7075 alloy and further with increasing weight percentage of graphene decreased the wear loss of the hybrid composites. The wear studies also showed that the increase in load, sliding speed and sliding distance, the wear loss of the composites increased. The microstructure of the worn out surface revealed that a huge amount of plastic deformation appeared on the unreinforced Al7075 alloy when compared to the reinforced hybrid composites. The incorporation of beryl and graphene into Al7075 showed worn out surface that is not smooth and grooves, scratches and parallel lines were observed. The addition of beryl and GNPs into the matrix reduces erosion and small grooves like structure were noticed in the hybrid composites which leads to a reduction in wear in Al7075-beryl-GNPs hybrid composites