Investigation of graphite effect on the mechanical and tribological properties of Al 7075-SiC-graphite hybrid metal matrix composites

Authors

• SRIDHAR ATLA Research Scholar, JNTU Hyderabad
• Prasanna Lakshmi Kaujala Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical department, JNTU Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500085, Telanagana, India. E-mail: [e-mail]

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30678/fjt.82667

Keywords:

Al 7075, graphite, powder metallurgy, Metal matrix composites, Mechanical and triboloigical properties

Abstract

The aluminium metal matrix composite reinforced with ceramic material of Silicon carbide (SiC) has good mechanical properties. However, aluminium based ceramic composites require improvements in their lubrication and tribological properties. In this study an attempt is made in the development of a new material through powder metallurgy technique by the addition of Graphite, which acts as a solid lubricant. This work investigated the influence of graphite on the wear behaviour of Al 7075/SiC /X wt.% graphite(X=0, 5 and 10) hybrid composite. The investigation reveals the effectiveness of incorporation of graphite in the composite for gaining wear reduction. The Al 7075 (aluminium alloy 7075) reinforced with SiC –graphite were investigated. The composites were fabricated using powder metallurgy route. The microstructures, material combination, wear and friction properties were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, XRD, and pin-on-disc wear tester. The newly developed aluminium composite has significant improvements in tribological properties with a combination of 5% Silicon carbide (SiC) and 5% Graphite. The test reveals that sliding distance of 1000 m and sliding speed of 1.5 m/s with applied load of 5 N result in minimum wear loss of 0.01062g and coefficient of friction as 0.1278.

References

K. Umanath, K. Palanikumar, and S. T. Selvamani, "Analysis of dry sliding wear behaviour of Al6061/SiC/Al2O3hybrid metal matrix composites," Compos. Part B Eng., vol. 53, pp. 159-168, 2013. doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.04.051

Siddesh Kumar N G, G S Shiva Shankar, S.Basavarajappa, "Comparative Study on Dry Sliding Wear Behaviour of Metal Matrix Hybrid Composites at Room and High Temperature," Int. J. Eng. Res. Adv. Technol., vol. 01, no. 01, pp. 16-24, 2015.

G. Singh and S. Goyal, "Dry sliding wear behaviour of AA6082-T6/SiC/B4C hybrid metal matrix composites using response surface methodology," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part L J. Mater. Des. Appl., vol. 0, no. 0, pp. 1-13, 2016. doi.org/10.1177/1464420716657114

Kumar S, Balasubramanian V. Developing a mathematical model to evaluate wear rate of AA7075/SiCp powder metallurgy composites. Wear 2008;264:1026-34. doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2007.08.006

Sahin Y. Tribological behaviour of metal matrix and its composite. Mater Des 2007;28:1348-52. doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2006.01.032

T jong SC. Processing and deformation characteristics of metals reinforced with ceramic nanoparticles. In: Tjong S-C, editor. Nano crystalline materials, 2nd ed. Oxford: Elsevier; 2014. pp. 269-304. doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-407796-6.00008-7

Rino JJ, Chandramohan D, Sucitharan KS, Jebin VD. Anoverview on development of aluminium metal matrix composites with hybrid reinforcement. IJSR India Online ISSN 2012:2319-7064.

Das DK, Mishra PC, Singh S, Pattanaik S. Fabrication and heat treatment of ceramic-reinforced aluminium matrix composites - a review. Int J Mech Mater Eng 2014; 9(1):pp. 1-15. doi.org/10.1186/s40712-014-0006-7

Casati R, Vedani M. Metal matrix composites reinforced bynano-particles-a review. Int journal of Metals 2014; 4(1):pp. 65-83. doi.org/10.3390/met4010065

Alaneme KK, Olubambi PA. Corrosion and wear behaviour of rice husk ash-alumina reinforced Al-Mg-Si alloy matrix hybrid composites. IntJ Mater Res Technol 2013; 2(2):pp. 188-94. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2013.02.005

Lee HS, Yeo JS, Hong SH, Yoon DJ, Na KH. The fabrication process andmechanical properties of SiCp/Al-Si metal matrix composites for automobileair-conditioner compressor pistons. J Mater Process Technol, 2001; pp. 202-208. doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(01)00680-X

Alumina reinforced AA 6063 metal matrix composites developed by two step stir casting process. ActaTechCorvininesis - Bull Eng 2013; 6(3): pp. 245-254.

Alaneme KK, Aluko AO. Fracture toughness (K1C) and tensile properties of as-cast and age-hardened aluminium (6063) -silicon carbide particulate composites. Sci Iran2012; 19(4): pp. 992-996. doi.org/10.1016/j.scient.2012.06.001

SirahbizuYigezu B, Mahapatra MM, Jha PK. Influence of reinforcement type on microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties of an aluminum alloy metal matrix composite. J Miner Mater CharactEng 2013; 1(4): pp. 124-130. doi.org/10.4236/jmmce.2013.14022

Oghenevweta JE, Aigbodion VS, Nyior GB, Asuke F. Mechanical properties and microstructural analysis of Al-Si-Mg/carbonized maize stalk waste particulate composites.

Bhandakkar A, Prasad RC, Sastry SM. Fracture toughness of AA2024 aluminum fly ash metal matrix composites. Int J Composite Materials 2014; 4(2): pp. 108-124.

Shivaraja HB, Kumar BP. Experimental determination and analysis of fracture. Toughness MMC 2014; 3(7): pp. 888-892.

Alaneme KK, Bodunrin MO. Mechanical behaviour of alumina reinforced AA 6063 metal matrix composites developed by two step - stir casting process. Acta Tech Corvininesis - Bull Eng 2013; 6(3): pp. 105-110.

Alaneme KK, Aluko AO. Production and age-hardening behaviour of borax premixed SiC reinforced Al-Mg-Si alloy composites developed by double stir-casting technique. West Indian J Eng 2012; 34(1-2): pp. 80-85.

Alaneme KK. Corrosion behaviour of heat-treated Al-6063/SiCp composites immersed in 5 wt% NaCl solution. Leonardo Journal of Science 2011; 18(18): pp. 55-64.

Bobi'c B, Mitrovi 'c S, Babi'c M, Bobi'c I. Corrosion of metal-matrix composites with aluminium alloy substrate. TribolInd 2010; 32(1): pp. 3-11.

M.L. TedGuo, C.Y.A. Tsao, Tribological behavior of self-lubricating aluminium/SiC/graphite hybrid composites synthesized by the semi- solid powder-densification method, Composites Science and Technology 60 (2000); pp. 65-74. doi.org/10.1016/S0266-3538(99)00106-2

Poovazhagan L, Kalaichelvan K, Rajadurai A, Senthilvelan V. Characterization of hybrid silicon carbide and boron carbide nanoparticles-reinforced aluminum alloy composites. Procedia Eng2013; pp. 681-689. doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.09.143