Effect of Reinforcements on the Sliding Wear Behavior of Self-Lubricating AZ91D-SiC-Gr Hybrid Composites

Abstract

This article statistically investigates the effect of various parameters such as material factors: silicon carbide (SiC) reinforcement, graphite (Gr) reinforcement and mechanical factors: normal load, sliding distance and speed on the sliding wear rate of vacuum stir cast self-lubricating AZ91D-SiC-Gr hybrid magnesium composites. The sliding wear tests have been performed on pin-on-disc tribometer at 10-50N loads, 1-3m/s sliding speed and 1000-2000m sliding distance. It has been examined that hybrid composites yielded improved wear resistance with reinforcement of SiC and solid lubricant graphite. ANOVA and signal-to-noise ratio investigation indicated that applied load was the most critical factor influencing the wear rate, followed by sliding distance. Further, the AZ91D/5SiC/5Gr hybrid composite has exhibited the best wear properties. From the SEM and EDS analysis of worn surfaces, delamination was confirmed as the dominant wear mechanism for AZ91D-SiC-Gr hybrid composites.