Stir casted SiC-Gr/Al6061 hybrid composite tribological and mechanical properties

Abstract

The improvement in the mechanical properties of composites is always an essential requirement for technological development. In this work, hybrid aluminum matrix composites fabricated using the stir casting technique. Silicon carbide and graphite used as reinforcement to improve the mechanical properties. AMCs produced by adding various volume fraction of SiC (5%, 10% and 15%) whereas fixed volume fraction (10%) of the graphite used in composites. The fabricated AMC samples were tested to determine the tensile strength, hardness and wear rate. The wear rate was determined under the different loads (10 N, 20 N, 30 N and 40 N) and sliding velocities (0.4 m/s, 0.8 m/s, 1.2 m/s and 1.6 m/s). Mechanical properties of fabricated AMCs are evaluated and compared with Al6061 alloy. The results discovered that the tensile strength and hardness increased from 490 to 710 MPa and 65VHN to 85VHN respectively with the addition of silicon carbide and graphite particles. The wear rate also increased with the increase of applied load. However, for sliding velocity it surges till 1.2 m/s then decreased steeply.