Influence of Primary B4C Particles and Secondary Mica Particles on the Wear Performance of Al6061/B4C/Mica Hybrid Composites

• Published in: Journal of bio- and tribo-corrosion 2019-09, Vol.5 (3), p.1-12, Article 77
• Main Authors: Palanikumar, K., Eaben Rajkumar, S., Pitchandi, K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum; Aluminum base alloys; Atomic force microscopes; Atomic force microscopy; Biomaterials; Boron carbide; Chemistry and Materials Science; Coefficient of friction; Corrosion; Corrosion and Coatings; Electron microscopes; Experimentation; Frictional wear; Hybrid composites; Materials Science; Mica; Particulate composites; Scanning electron microscopy; Sliding friction; Solid Mechanics; Surface roughness; Tribology; Wear rate
• ISSN: 2198-4220; 2198-4239
• DOI: 10.1007/s40735-019-0267-z

The present investigation is carried out on the wear properties of particle-reinforced Al6061/B 4 C/Mica hybrid composites in comparison with Al6061/B 4 C composites and Al6061 aluminium-based alloy. The dry sliding wear test is used to evaluate the wear rate and coefficient of friction for the specimen. The pin-on-disc wear tester is used at a load of 10 N, 20 N and 30 N. The specimens are prepared by stir cast method. B 4 C particles of 70 µm and mica particles of 3–10 µm are used for the experimentation. The worn surfaces of the specimen are studied by using scanning electron microscope. Further, the surface profile is studied by using atomic force microscope images. The analysis shows that, Al6061/B 4 C/Mica hybrid composites cause a reduction of wear rate up to 36.23%, a coefficient of friction up to 11.73%, average surface roughness ( R a ) up to 46.57% in comparison with Al6061/B 4 C composites.