Tribological Behaviour of Aluminium Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite

Abstract

Aluminum based metal matrix composites (MMCs) are appropriate materials for structural applications in the aircraft and automotive industries because they are ductile, highly conductive, lightweight and have a high strength to weight ratio. Wear and Friction behaviour of Al6061 with various percentage volumes of Multiwall carbon nanotube and Silicon Carbide reinforcement through stir casting method followed by die-casting was investigated. Wear test was made by using Pin on Disc Apparatus on the prepared Specimen. It was found that, under mild wear conditions, the composite displayed lower wear rate and friction coefficient compared to Aluminium. However, for severe wear conditions, the composite displayed higher wear rate and friction coefficient and it was clarified that the friction and wear behaviour of Al–SiC-MWCNT composite is largely influenced by the applied load and there exists a critical load beyond which CNTs could have a negative impact on the wear resistance of aluminium alloy. Also the hardness of the composite was increased by increasing the percent volume of reinforcement.