Review of Recent Studies on Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics of AMMCs

Abstract

AbstractTribology-related research activities in metal matrix composites have seen great growth in recent times. Due to their higher stiffness, strength, wear resistance, lower weight and other advantages over monolithic metals, aluminium metal matrix composites (AMMCs) are preferred in many applications, nowadays. Aluminium composites are made by incorporating reinforcing materials into aluminium or its alloys. The reinforcing materials are mainly hard ceramic materials and they occur in the form of particulates, flakes, whiskers and fibres. The AMMCs are produced through various processes among which stir casting is the most commonly used method for particulate-reinforced composite. Some of the recent studies carried out on the mechanical and tribological behaviour of AMMCs made through stir-casting method are briefly summarized in this article. It has been established through research that AMMCs have better mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, hardness, better tribological properties and lower ductility than their monolithic metals or their alloys. Also, the addition of solid lubricants like graphite and MoS2 to the composites reduces coefficient of friction and improves the wear behaviour and machinability of the composites. It is observed that there is an inclination towards hybrid AMMCs and nanomaterial-reinforced AMMCs in the recent research works.KeywordsTribologyFrictionWearAMMCsStir casting