Experimental investigations on mechanical thermal properties and tribological behaviour of aluminium hybrid composite

Abstract

newline A composite material is a macroscopic combination of two or more distinct materials having a recognizable interface between them. Composites are used not only for their structural properties, but also for electrical, thermal, tribological and environmental applications. Among modern composite materials, particle reinforced Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMCs) are finding increased application due to their favorable mechanical properties and good wear resistance. By far the most common commercial metal matrix composites are based on aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys reinforced with silicon carbide, alumina, carbon or graphite. Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite (HMMC) has been playing a significant role in engineering applications particularly in light weight materials. Aluminum based metal matrix composite can be an efficient and effective braking material compared to cast iron. But poor wear resistance and high thermal elongation properties of aluminum alloys make them unreliable in the selection of material. The reinforcement of SiCp particulate will enhance the wear behavior and reduce the thermal elongation without any substantial modification of the base material properties; in fact it will improve some properties marginally when graphite particles are used for dry lubricant in state. There were few studies on high temperature wear behavior of age hardenable MMCs, and these studies are focused on ex situ MMCs. That heat treatment on strength and abrasive wear behavior of Al6061-SiCp composites. Similar results in their studies on the investigation of impact behavior of aluminium based SiC particle reinforced metal-matrix. In a practical application, high stress due to thermal environment may result in rapid crack propagation through the material interfaces. Therefore, a strong interface is highly desirable. In wear application absorption or transfer of the energy of momentum, usually by means of friction. newline newline