Tribological response of al rutile composites under dry sliding conditions

Abstract

The persistent need for anti-friction components in the industrial sector and the restrictions in greenhouse emissions in the automotive sector claims materials with specific properties. Aluminium Matrix Composites newline(AMCs) possessing the required properties are developed to replace the conventional material particularly in automobile and aerospace segments. The degradation of conventional reinforcements in terms of its environmental impact and availability factor requests the need for natural reinforcement materials. In this way, in the present examination, aluminum (37 and#61549;m) is blended with micro (44 and#61549;m) and nano scaled (37 nm) rutile (TiO2) utilizing powder metallurgy method to uncover its impact on the wear and micro hardness characteristics. The prepared samples were characterised by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The worn surface of composite pins and their wear remains are analysed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy newlineDispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) technique to understand the mode of wear. Rutile (TiO2) is suggested to be added in particulate form in different proportions for micro level study (0, 4, 8, 12, wt %) and nano level newlinestudy (0, 2, 4, 6, wt %). In the present study, wear examination had been practiced in three phases. In the first phase, wear response is analysed for micro scaled TiO2 (rutile) reinforced composites in both ambient (30and#61616;C) and high temperature environments (50and#61616;C, 100and#61616;C and 200and#61616;C) and in second phase the study has been carried out for composites reinforced with nano scaled particles. newline newline