Wear surface characterization of hybrid Al alloy-based nanocomposites

Abstract

Using liquid metallurgy route, an aluminumAl6061-1.2 wt% nanoSiC-0.5 wt% graphite hybrid nano-composites composite was fabricated. The dry sliding wear characteristics of thehybrid nano-compositeswere investigatedunder various sliding parameters using the pin-on-disc apparatus.The prepared hybrid nanocomposite were examined for wear surfaces by using the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM)and 3Dprofilometer. Al/1.2SiC/Gr hybrid nano-composites performed better than the Al6061 matrix alloy in terms of wear resistance. The hybrid nano-composite wear surface roughness was 1.560 µm but the alloy matrix roughness was 6.20 µm at 0.5 m/s under 40 N. Comparing the Al/1.2SiC/Gr nanocomposites to the Al6061 matrix alloy, the surface smoothness was found to be the best.