Dry sliding friction and wear behavior of Al7075/TiC/Si3N4 hybrid metal matrix composites

The aluminum-based composites discovers its applications broadly in various industries which include aviation, transport, automobile and marine attributing to their enhanced mechanical properties like hardness, density, strength and resistance in wear. The present exploration work centers around the production of aluminum (Al7075) matrix composites rein-forced with different weight percentages of titanium carbide (TiC) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) particles by traditional stir casting technique. The reinforcements are added by varying the weight percentages from 0 to 10 in.multiples of 2%. The cast components are tested for density and hardness. Unidirectional wear testing was done for the fabricated composites under various stacking condition (10 N, 20 N and 30 N of load) at a steady speed of 800 rpm and time for 10 min. SEM analysis was done on worn surfaces. The hardness of hybrid metal matrix composites [HMMC] increased as the weight % of reinforcement in the HMMC increased. The wear characteristics are obtained using a pin on disc apparatus. The inclusion of TiC and Si3N4 particles increased wear resistance. In terms of basic wear rate, the COF is seen to increase and decrease in the specific wear rate.