Evaluation of mechanical and microstructural of AlA380 based nanocomposite rein-forced with Tungsten Disulfide nanoparticles

Abstract

In the present study, AlA380-based nanocomposites reinforced with WS2 (0, 2 and 5% volumetric) nanoparticles were fabricated using the hot press technique in vacuum at 510 °C. Microstructural and mechanical (e.g. hardness, compression and wear behavior) properties of the AlA380-WS2 nanocomposites were investigated as a function of the WS2 reinforcement percentage. It was found that adding 5% WS2 increased the compressive strength of the hot-pressed samples from 66 MPa to 195 MPa. Furthermore, microhardness of the hot-pressed specimens significantly increased from 50 HV for AlA380 matrix to almost 100 HV for AlA380%-5% WS2 nanocomposite. Moreover, incorporation of lubricant WS2 nanoparticles significantly reduced the wear rate and the friction coefficient of the AlA380%-5% WS2 up to 40% and 32% respectively in comparison with the AlA380 matrix composites. OM, SEM and FESEM analysis were used to investigate microstructures of the nanoparticle distribution in the nanocomposites and the worn and fracture surfaces of the hot-pressed samples. Results showed a considerable change in morphology after adding WS2 nanoparticles leading to an improvement in strength of the nanocomposite. In the end, the AlA380%-5% WS2 nanocomposite sample represents the greatest hardness, compressive and wear properties to compare with the other experimented samples.