Tribological characterization and machining parameters optimisation of magnesium metal matrix composite

Abstract

The Metal Matrix Composites MMCs are used extensively now a days in many fields including aerospace automotive electronics defence and consumer appliances This increased applicability of MMCs may be attributed to its desirable properties like good strength to density ratio lower coefficient of thermal expansion better wear resistance good stiffness to density ratio and fatigue resistance These specific properties can very well be used in automobile field for reduction of vehicle weight with less fuel consumption and reduced emission The reinforcements like Aluminium Oxide Al2O3 Silicon Carbide SiC Hexagonal Boron Nitride HBN Tungsten Disulphide WS2 are commonly added to the metal matrices to improve the mechanical and physical properties of the base material through different processes which produces MMCs Magnesium is one of the abundant materials available in the world and its strength to weight ratio is also suitable for its application in automobile component manufacturing Magnesium composites have the advantages of good stiffness high specific strength good electrical conductivity excellent heat dissipation good castability formability and machinability Usage of solid lubricants instead of the liquid lubricants is more preferred at present considering the environmental aspects Graphite is one of the important solid lubricants used in industry Graphites lamellar structure provided larger load bearing capacity perpendicular to the layers and hence able to slide along the layers which makes it an effective solid lubricant newline