Tribological behaviour of aluminium based hybrid metal matrix composites (Al6061/B4C/ZrO2/SiC)

Abstract

This research is aimed into the use of stir casting technique to make a variety of reinforced aluminium and non-reinforced hybrid composite materials. Aluminium Metal Matrix reinforced with different volume proportions of ZrO2 (2%, 4% and 6%) and SiC (4%, 8%, 12%) particulate by stir casting techniques. Al6061 and B4C are selected as a base material and ZrO2 and SiC utilized as a reinforced material. Actual density and theoretical density are calculated using the Archimedes principle and the rule of mixtures, respectively, and the porosity is measured in terms of theoretical and actual densities. It can be observed that the density of hybrid composites increases with the addition of reinforcement materials in aluminium matrix. The Pin-on-disc apparatus was used to conduct the wear experiment various sliding distance, sliding speed and applied loads. As results concluded that wear rate of Al6061 + 2%B4C + 6%ZrO2 + 12%SiC hybrid composites are smaller than that of unreinforced aluminium alloys. From the experimental analysis the increasing reinforcements of ZrO2 and SiC particle in aluminium metal matrix decreases the wear rate of prepared hybrid samples. Increasing the load on the abrasive disk reduces the abrasion rate on all models and decreases at a sliding speed of 4.5 m / s and then increases. However, the wear rate decreases with increasing sliding speed, while the depreciation rate increases with increasing sliding distance and load.