Influence of cow dung ash and TiB2 on the physicomechanical and tribological performance of Al6061-based hybrid composites

Abstract

In order to fabricate a hybrid green metal-matrix composite, the present study investigated the effects of reinforcing a farm waste, cow dung ash (CDA), with hard ceramic titanium diboride (TiB2) of varying weight percentage ratios (0, 7.5:2.5, 5:5, 2.5:7.5 ratio). The physicomechanical and tribological performance were examined and noted that the tensile strength, hardness, and impact energy of the hybrid composites were enhanced with the incorporation of CDA and TiB2 reinforcements. Increasing CDA in hybrid composite reduced the density up to 4.12% and maximum increment in hardness and tensile strength was up to 28% and 24% respectively. The tribology test was conducted on a pin-on-disc tribometer at room temperature with varying loads (10 N–50 N), sliding velocities (0.52 m/s to 2.62 m/s), and sliding distances (500 m–1700 m). The wear loss and friction property of Al6061 has improved with reinforcement's addition and was found to be minimum at 2.5:7.5 (CDA: TiB2) weight percentages. The hybrid composites microstructure and worn surface profile are also associated with the observed tribological outcomes. The obtained results indicated that the S3 hybrid composite showed the best physicomechanical and tribological properties.