Dry Sliding Wear Performance of Al/7075/Al2O3p/Grp Hybrid Metal Matrix Composites

In this paper, the dry sliding wear performance of Alumina-Al2O3 and graphite-Gr particles reinforced with Al7075 (aluminum alloy 7075) hybrid metal matrix composites is studied by means of a pin-on-disc tribometer. Ceramic particles Al2O3 along with solid lubricant Gr are incorporated into Al7075 matrix to accomplish improvement in the wear properties such as wear and coefficient of friction. These Al7075/Al(2)O(3)p/Grp hybrid composites with varying percentages of Al2O3 and Gr are produced by stir casting method in a controlled atmosphere. Uniform distribution of reinforcing particles is confirmed by SEM views. The influence of various parameters such as Al2O3 (0 and 3 wt.%), Gr (2, 4 and 6 wt.%), applied load (10, 20 and 30N) and sliding distance (1000, 1500 and 2000m) is evaluated on dry sliding wear performance of these hybrid composites namely, wear and coefficient of friction. The wear tests are designed according to Taguchi's L-18 orthogonal array (2(1) x 3(3)) to observe the wear performance of these composites during dry sliding wear tests. Analysis of variance and main effects plots are used to analyze the wear test data. It is observed that the wear is mainly influenced by the Al2O3% reinforcement and applied load. Wear decreases with the increase of Al2O3% reinforcement and increases with increase of applied load. Whereas, coefficient of friction is mainly influenced by Gr% reinforcement and the applied load. Applied load affects significantly both wear and coefficient of friction, whereas sliding distance has insignificant effect on both. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.