Effect of Graphite Particulates on Sliding Wear Performance of Hybrid AA2024 Alloy Composites

Abstract

In this work, hybrid AA2024—Graphite (0-6 wt.% @ 2%)/SiC (2 wt.%)/Si3N4 (2 wt.%) alloy composites were fabricated via semi-automatic stir casting method. The specimens of alloy composites compositions were analyzed to examine the effect of graphite phase reinforcement on the (1) physical and mechanical performance, (2) dry sliding wear/friction performance following ASTM G99 on Pin-on-Disc tribometer. A significant improvement in the physical, mechanical, and wear/friction performance was observed with graphite reinforcing phase. The surface morphology studies revealed the presence of tribo-layer or lubricating layer indicating the presence of solid lubricant graphite. The thickness of tribo-layer enhances with graphite content and accounts for wear/friction performance of hybrid alloy composites.