Improving tribological performance and structural analysis of aluminium hybrid nanocomposites with nano ZrO ₂ /SiC reinforcement via stir casting assisted with ultrasonic vibration

Abstract

This research synthesis the aluminium hybrid composite made with 5-15% of nano SiC and 5% of ZrO2 reinforcement via ultrasonic vibration-assisted stir casting techniques. Influences of hybrid reinforcements on tribological behaviour of composites are evaluated by different sliding spans (1000 to 3000m), load (10-20N), and sliding speed (1.5 to 4.5m/s). The hybrid Al5083/5wt% ZrO2/15wt% SiC composite is noted to have a lower wear rate ranging from 0.0008-0.0016 mm3/Nm and enhanced friction coefficient of 12-0.25 at 4.5m/sec for 3000m under 30N applied load. Moreover, the increased sliding speed and distance lead to an increase in the wear rate and limits the friction coefficient. The tribological behaviour of the hybrid composite Al5083/5wt% ZrO2/15wt% SiC was observed to exhibit diverse surface characteristics due to the occurrence of delamination, wear debris, tribo-chemical wear regimes, and two-body and three-body abrasion wear. Furthermore, the presence of pits and oxide layers was also noticed.