Tribological behaviour of aluminium metal composites reinforced with nanoparticles

Aluminium metal matrix composites (AlMMCs) are successfully used in the manufacture of aerospace and automotive components, especially for tribological applications, due to improved properties, energy savings, longer service life, improved productivity, lightweight, lower maintenance cost and environmental benefits, which include lower noise during operation and meagre airborne emission. The performance of the composites mostly depends on selecting the right combination and size of reinforcement particles necessary to achieve the required strength, hardness and wear resistance. The production of AlMMCs with the incorporation of nano-sized reinforcement particles can overcome the deficiencies of microparticulate reinforced AlMMCs. This chapter highlights the different fabrication processes employed for manufacturing nanoparticles-reinforced AlMMCs, along with the effect of different nano-sized reinforcement particles on the friction and wear behaviour of AlMMCs.