Comparison Between Wear Resistance of Functionally Graded And Homogenous Al-SiC Nanocomposite Produced by Friction Stir Processing (FSP)

In the present work, wear resistance of a homogeneous and functionally graded Al/SiC nanocomposite produced by friction stir processing was studied. According to the wear test results, the friction coefficient of the functionally graded nanocomposite was slightly less than that of the homogeneous nanocomposite (i.e., 0.7 compared to 0.8); this may be due to higher surface hardness of the functionally graded composite. In both cases, the weight loss increased with increasing applied loads; however, weight loss for the functionally graded nanocomposite was lesser under each applied load. Regarding surface studies by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Optical Microscope (OM), the functionally graded nanocomposite showed less micro-galling and other surface damages; this can be attributed to its surface hardness and high work of fracture.