A study on tribological behaviour of aluminium alloys based hybrid composites

Abstract

Aluminium alloys are used in advanced applications because of their attractive combination of high strength, low density, durability, machinability, availability and cost, compared to their competing materials. The above properties can be further improved by using aluminium matrix composite materials reinforced with hardened particles. Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) have proved to be an important class of materials with the potential to replace many conventional materials used in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. Aluminium alloys (AA) have extensive application in industries. The range of physical properties that can impart to them is remarkable. Advanced industrial applications require composites with unique wear properties such as high corrosion, wear resistance and hardness. Alloys possessing these properties are usually costly and utilization drastically increased the cost of the parts. On the other hand, failure or degradation of Engineering components due to Mechanical and Electrochemical interaction with the surrounding environment is likely to initiate at the surface because the intensity of external stress and environmental attack are often highest at the surface. Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) Particulate is an agricultural waste. The waste is abundantly produced globally and possesses the risk to health as well as the environment. Thus their effective conducive and eco-friendly utilization has been a challenge. Coconut Shell Ash is one of the most inexpensive and low-density reinforcement, and it contains elements like oxygen, silicon, aluminium, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and Zinc oxide. The reinforcement particles (CSA) were preheated to 800 0C for 1 hour before incorporation into the melt. The resistance to wear in MMC improved by reinforcing with hard intermetallic compounds like SiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, B4C, etc. which are expensive. newline