Evaluation of mechanical and dry sliding wear behaviour of Al 2214 aluminium alloy – graphite metal matrix composites

Abstract

Aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) gained an extensive popularity in different engineering fields monotonically due to their enhanced mechanical properties when compared to traditional monolithic metals. In the present investigation composites were produced using liquid metallurgy technique with modified stir casting approach with bottom pouring arrangement. Al 2214 aluminium composites have been successfully prepared with various percentage (viz. 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6) of graphite reinforcement and their physical and wear behaviour have been analyzed. The experiment revealed that the amount of graphite in the matrix increased and the density reduces, hardness decreases beyond 1.5% of graphite, ultimate tensile strength and wear resistance of composites improved with increased addition of reinforcement. Optical microscope and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) results shows uniform distribution and confirmed the existence of graphite particles in Al 2214 matrix phase.