Mechanical and Tribological Properties of AA6061/SiC/Aloe Vera Powder Hybrid Al Composites Fabricated by Stir Casting

Aluminium Matrix Composites (AMC) are fabricated through the stir casting route is more beneficial in comparison with other techniques since the methodology is inexpensive, easier in fabrication with mass production capabilities. Two types of AA6061 composites were produced by stir casting route namely AA6061 alloy reinforced with SiC particles and mixture of SiC & natural reinforcement of aloe vera particles (hybrid). FESEM and XRD analyses were conducted for the estimation of the presence of reinforcement particles in the composites. Microhardness, tensile properties and wear properties of composites were evaluated, results establish that composite samples are superior than cast AA6061 alloy. The lowest wear rate of 0.1874 10−3 g N−1 m−1 with a lower coefficient of friction (COF) 0.242 were found in hybrid AA6061 composite. The hard SiC ceramic particles acted as load-bearing elements while aloe vera particles enhanced the tribological behavior of composite by forming thin lubricating film during wear test. Results showed that aloe vera as a natural reinforcement is compatible with SiC to fabricate aluminium composites with impressive tensile, microhardness, and wear characteristics.