Some Studies on Wear and Corrosion Properties of Al5083/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/Graphite Hybrid Composites

Abstract

Advanced technology has put an increasing demand on the composite materials, particularly more in the areas of dynamic structures. Among the several types of aluminum alloys being used, Al5000 series are widely used in marine and aerospace applications due to their superior corrosion resistance, excellent formability and good welding characteristics. Al5083, a non-heat treatable high Mg-Al wrought alloy, is extensively used for the marine applications. Hence, an attempt has been made in the proposed work to study the effects of Graphite (Gr) and Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) on aluminum hybrid composites involving both hard and soft reinforcements on wear and corrosion properties. The synthesis of hybrid metal matrix composite used in the present study has been carried out by stir casting method. The effects of reinforcement, time duration and particle size on prepared samples of composites have been studied on slurry erosive wear. The static and accelerated corrosion tests have been performed and the microhardness of the developed composites was also investigated. The experimental results on Al5083-Al2O3-Gr hybrid composites revealed that the addition of reinforcement improves the hardness and reduces corrosion and wear rates.