Dry Sliding Wear Study on AA6061/SiCp Nano and AA6061/SiCp/Gr Hybrid Nanocomposites

The current study focuses on Al 6061 based nanocomposites with silicon carbide reinforcement i.e. AA6061 - x wt.% SiCp (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) and Al 6061/SiC/Graphite based hybrid nanocomposites i.e. AA6061/2 wt.% SiCp/y wt.% graphite (y = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 3). Ultrasonic assisted stir casting is selected as the method of fabrication owing to its benefits. To investigate the tribological behavior of nanocomposites and hybrid nanocomposites, all the samples are subjected to a dry sliding wear test on a pin on disc testing apparatus. Wear coefficients are calculated based on the experimental data. Worn surface analysis is conducted along with wear debris analysis for deciphering the wear mechanisms involved. Wear coefficients of all the composites get magnified with an increase in sliding distance and sliding velocity. Worn surface analysis has reported that the sample with 2 wt.% silicon carbide and 2 wt.% graphite has experienced the lowest depth of penetration and also resulted in the smaller wear debris particles among all.