Influence of Gr, MoS2 and BN on the Hardness and Wear resistance of AA2014 Hybrid Composite after Artificial Aging

The main objective of this research work is to study the effect of tribological behaviors and mechanical properties of Aluminium alloy 2014 (AA2014) hybrid composite reinforced with Boron Nitride (BN), Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphite (Gr). Stir casting technique is used for the fabrication of this composite material. The composite is subjected to three step ageing process which consists of solution heat treatment, quenching and aging. The base alloy was reinforced with 4 wt.% of BN, 4wt.% MoS2 and 4, 6, 8 wt.% of Gr. The hardness of the composite steadily increased up to 6 wt. % of graphite and further increase in graphite decreases the hardness. The sample with Graphite of 4 wt. % resulted in maximum hardness of 192 HV with respect to AA2014 base hardness. Addition of graphite up to 6% resulted in lower wear rate when compared to the base metal. The wear rate of sample with Graphite of 4 wt. % is reduced by 49 % from that of the base metal at maximum wear condition. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were used for the characterization of composite.