Tribological study of Al-6063-based metal matrix embedded with SiC–Al2O3–TiO2 particles

Abstract

Aluminium-based metal matrix composites play a significant role in the field of aerospace, automobile, structural, and military applications due to their enhanced mechanical and tribological properties that contrasted to monolithic materials. Severe metal service conditions, such as cutting, grinding, and drilling and demand tribological and mechanical properties, must be improved. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) reinforced with filler particles are covenant materials for rectifying these issues. This study experimentally investigated the effect of normal load and sliding velocity on the friction and wear properties of Al-6063-based MMC embedded with filler particles. Experiments were conducted under normal loads of 5 N, 7.5 N, and 10 N and velocities of 0.5 m/s, 1 m/s, and 1.5 m/s. The experimental results revealed controlling friction and wear rate of aluminium-based MMC. The friction coefficient and wear resistance were improved by the aluminium-based MMC. The morphology of the metal matrix composites was analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS). The applied load, sliding velocity, SiC, Al2O3, and TiO2 significantly affect the friction coefficient and wear loss. Chemical properties were investigated through Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, and the peak values were identified. The analysis can be used to predict the tribological properties of Al-6063 MMC in engineering applications.