Tribological studies of aluminium metal matrix composites with micro reinforcements of silicon and silicon balloons

Abstract

Abstract This paper is aimed at developing a new Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) by the reinforcement of micro particles of Silicon (Si) and Silicon Balloons (Si B) in Al 4032 separately. The MMC were manufactured using stir casting technique. The tribological behavior of Al 4032 was compared with the as cast MMC of varying reinforcements of Si and Si B. Three compositions of reinforcements i.e., 1%, 3% and 5% for each of Si and Si B were considered for investigation of wear rate. The effect of varying loads on the wear rate was studied by measuring the changes in thickness per unit time, by conducting experiments on pin-on-disc apparatus. The wear behavior of Al MMC sliding against hardened stainless steel disc was compared with conventional Al 4032. It was observed that the wear resistance of the composite was increased in comparison with Al 4032, under identical test conditions and is better for composite made of Si B with 3% wt reinforcement at all the considered loads. There was a decrease in wear rate of 63.11%, 65.41% and 54.88% corresponding to the load of 0N, 20N and 40N respectively, when compared with base material. The best wear resistance was observed at a load of 20 N, for MMC made with 3% wt Si B reinforcement, which contributed to a reduction of 65.41 % wear rate.