Effect of dual reinforced ceramic particles on elevated temperature tribological properties of hybrid aluminium matrix composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research explores the tribological performance of LM26 Aluminium alloy and LM26/SiC/Ni-Gr the hybrid composite using the Taguchi technique. Hybrid Aluminium Matrix Composites(HAMCs) produced using the low-cost stir casting process. The high-temperature pin on the disc device used to measure the loss of wear and friction coefficient (CoF) of the developed composites. Wear tests have been carried out in temperatures of 100°C to 200°C with a load applied of 10 to 30 N. The tribological properties of the hybrid composite material changed with increasing temperature and load. They decreased with an increase in the weight percentage of the hybrid reinforcement particles. The properties of wear and friction were analysed using the Taguchi method to find out the optimum parameters. Comparative result analysis shows that the load and hybrid reinforcement percentage has a more significant influence contributing 45.11% and 59.21% on wear loss and COF, respectively. It has been determined that LM26/20SiC/2Ni-Gr hybrid composite has the best tribological properties. Further findings were supported by SEM and microscopic analysis of the worn surfaces of hybrid composite material and counter disc.